Planned Parenthood launches menopause service

Patients experiencing symptoms of menopause can now seek specialized treatment at a Planned Parenthood in Cincinnati or Dayton, the organization announced at a press conference on Oct. 1.

Menopause, defined as started 12 months after someone's last period, is the stage where the menstrual period stops. Perimenopause, or the transition to menopause, can last several years and is often characterized by hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, mood changes and other symptoms.

But people experiencing these symptoms are not always met with solutions, said Gwynne Perry, assistant medical director at Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region.

"These patients have been dismissed, belittled or minimized so often that they decide it’s not worth it. They stop asking for care because their providers aren’t listening,” Perry said.

At Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio health centers, patients can see a provider about their symptoms, who will work with them and use evidence-based information to determine a personally tailored treatment plan, said Nan Whaley, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio ACT, the advocacy arm of the organization.

But finding a provider is only part of the battle, said State Rep. Ashley Bryant Bailey of Cincinnati, who introduced a bill in March alongside Rep. Anita Somani (D-Dublin) that would require insurance and Medicaid coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of menopause, perimenopause and related symptoms.

Known as the Menopause, Perimenopause, and Hormone Therapy Coverage Act, Rep. Bryant Bailey hopes the bill would eliminate the barrier of inconsistent insurance coverage for these conditions.

“We have to start looking at women’s health across the entirety of a woman’s life. This isn’t only a health care issue; it’s a workforce issue. It’s an economic issue,” Rep. Bryant Bailey said. "We hear you. Your experiences are real. Your health matters. And you deserve access to quality health care at every stage of your life.”