Menopause around the world - culture, symptoms & supoport

While I may be UK based, I definitely see myself as a global citizen. I am fascinated by other cultures, it is what I love most about travel - exploration and learning. For me, it would feel wrong to travel to another country and come away with no real cultural learning.

And this fascination, coupled with my journey through menopause, led me to consider it from a global perspective. To question how experience differs around the world. Are there countries that are further forward in offering real, and equal support to women? Is menopause shrouded by silence in some countries? Maybe you're reading this and you're not UK based - I'd love to hear from you on your personal experience, what it feels like to journey through menopause where you live.

So, as I often do, I turned initially to my beloved friend google and it is from there that my education began. As we all know the world is a big place, with so much to be explored - if I tried to travel the world in a single post, I think we might all be in for a long ride, so I'll be breaking it down through a series of posts as I journey the world - I hope you'll join me!

The United States of America

Now anyone who knows me well, will know that my husband & I regularly visit the US - the majority of Garreth's family are stateside, with his late-father born and raised in Ohio State. It is perhaps unsurprising then that it is my first port of call when exploring menopause around the world!

Its all about the state...

As we all know, America is broken down in to 50 states (well we might not ALL know, but hey, google is never far away!) and with this comes complexity as there isn't one single system. Menopause support can differ significantly from state to state so where you live (plus your job & health insurance) can make a big difference.

Here in the UK we of course have the NHS, which in theory means a standardised approach right across the country. I say in theory, because it is evident even through conversations with people in my own town, that our experience of NHS support is far from standard!

But in the US, they don't have an NHS model, their healthcare system is largely insurance-based and influenced by the state so this will have a direct impact on personal experience. I always start with Ohio and, for menopause support at least, it isn't the best place to start as there is no policy, no legislation - and no sign of this arriving anytime soon which is disappointing.

As you branch out, looking more broadly across the 50 states, the landscape does look a little different though, with pockets of progress shining through. And this progress is happening in states governed by both Democrats and Republicans. Let's take a look at a few of those states:

• Illinois

When it comes to menopause-policy, Illinois is one of the leading states in the USA, having mandated insurance coverage for menopause treatment - something that is not the case across all US states. This progress is important - women must be able to access treatment, and in the US this means ensuring that it is covered by insurance.

The state of Illinois also hosted its first ever Menopause Awareness Week in 2025 (12-18 October), featuring a series of webinars and conversations that explored symptoms, treatment and work. With so many of these taking place online, it means they are still out there waiting to be viewed - you can access the series here. I recommend the one on exercise, sleep and nutrition!

• Louisiana

The legislation in Louisiana is pretty much the same as in Illinois, but I wanted to include this state as proof that, while it might be true that more Democrat-led states have introduced menopause legislation, it is not all about one party as Lousiana is a Republican governed state.

State law was passed back in 2024, requiring Medicaid and private health insurance to cover menopause and perimenopause treatment. Medicaid? This is a government programme providing heath insurance to those with limited income and resources - so it is a really important element of this legislation.

• New Jersey

The final state I decided to delve into was New Jersey as this is brand new for 2026! The 'New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act' was signed into law on 9 January 2026 - go New Jersey!

Now, while this might not be the first piece of menopause legislation passed in the US (my previous examples confirm this!), it is significant as it mandates comprehensive cover - think HRT, pelvic floor therapy, mental health services - its all there.

Interestingly, while researching menopause legislation across US states, I also came across a piece about California that surprised me - mainly because I always think of this state as being particularly progressive. Back in 2025, lawmakers in California overwhelmingly passed a new 'Menopause Care Equality Act' but this was then vetoed by Governor Gavin Newson, claiming its mandates were too 'far-reaching'. He also felt it could result in increased healthcare costs for working families.

I don't claim to be an expert on US law and the intricacies of this particular piece of Californian legislation - but providing women with strong medical coverage and pushing for improved physician education doesn't feel far-reaching to me, it feels like the right thing!

Hey employer, what's the plan?

Here in the UK the Government has passed legislation that, from 2027, will require all businesses with 250+ employees to have a menopause action plan (encouraging voluntary take-up from April 2026).

With this a hot topic of discussion at the moment, I wanted to know what is in place for women working in the US. I wasn't surprised to find that no federal law exists on this and there's no requirement for menopause policies or action plans. It is very much employer-led and is relatively rare.

That's not a criticism, its just a fact. Given we are in 2026 and this new UK legislation doesn't come into play for another year, we are not exactly light-years ahead. And businesses shouldn't really need this legislation to do what is right for the women who work for them!

There is some good news though - while the percentage may still be lower than we'd like - there ARE US based companies that have plans and policies in place (so they are actually doing better than quite a few UK based companies...).

So who did I come across in my research - some were familiar, some not so familiar...

Genentech

I didn't have a clue who they were but, in short, they are an American biotechnology company who develop medicines for serious disease (I'm already won over!).

And if you are a woman who happens to work for them - lucky you! Because their menopause action plan is one of the strongest in the US - and one that perhaps UK companies should be benchmarking themselves on. They have absolutely avoided any claim that they are ticking a box, meno-washing (don't know if that is a term but I like it!).

Genentech offer 24/7 access to menopause specialists, support groups & clinician messaging, classes & tailored menopause care, free menopause support for employees & their partners! They are seriously leading the way - and if I was moving to South California (sadly not) I would be sending them my CV!

Tech companies, in general, seem to be those most likely to have some form of menopause action plan, menopause support plan. Some of the big ticket names I came across included Microsoft, Adobe and NVIDIA. But we can't all work for tech giants can we...

National Basketball Association (NBA)

Now this is good news, because it shows that menopause support is progressing beyond corporate outfits. They introduced their menopause benefits back in 2023, which includes giving access to specialist services.

Abercrombie & Fitch

They offer access to the same specialist services as the NBA, although it seems that those working for them here in the UK have access to a lot more support - but it is good to see at lease one retailer listed.

Data suggests that only 4-5% of US businesses have any form of plan, policy etc. for menopause - but this may be higher if you widen the pool a little and look at overarching wellbeing initiatives. It is clear - there is a lot more to do.

Menopause & US Culture - Awareness & Stigma

That word complexity is back again and this time it's about culture! Whenever me and Garreth visit the US, there is always a conversation about how travelling between states is like travelling through different countries. The culture, the whole feel from place to place, is so diverse!

When we look at menopause, especially when looking from across the pond, it seems menopause is being talked about more than ever before. Fantastic! We have podcasts, books, documentaries. But is that all just surface sparkle or is it really hammering away at the stigma?

I think it is a similar story to here in the UK, all that surface noise is out there. But women are still leaving their jobs because of menopause, women (and men) are still not being educated well enough and menopause remains deeply stigmatised.

That stigma isn't unique to those living in the US - a 2025 Astellas study revealed that 59% of respondents still see menopause as a 'taboo' subject. So despite all those conversations, podcasts and books, the stigma is still stuck glue and this has got to change.

American culture puts a lot of emphasis on youth and appearance, particularly when it comes to women and, so while awareness is certainly growing, this can still lead to menopause being pushed into the background when it needs to be up front and centre.

When you look at menopause in the US, the topic of money is never far behind - the commercialisation of menopause, the monetisation of menopause. But that is a big topic and one I am deeply interested (and concerned about) so I'll tackle that separately!

Now have you been to America? To a big city like New York or LA and thought it all feels quite familiar? Well of course it does, we've been visiting these great cities for years, through film and TV. Now think about menopause? How many of those TV shows, those movies have tackled that subject? I'm struggling to come up with a list! Menopause is largely absent.

And that brings me on to the final segment of my visit to the USA....

Menopause & Hollywood

In 2024, in front of the Capitol, Halle Berry loudly announced 'I am in menopause'. It was a moment. A moment that came with gratitude and a moment that came with backlash.

Hollywood stars are not immune to menopause, and many of those we know and love are likely experiencing it right now. So where is it in those movies or TV shows? Its been largely absent. And perhaps unsurprisingly. We have all seen the decline in roles for female actors as they grow older; youth - especially when it comes to women - sells. Why else do so many find it necessary try so many tricks and treatments to keep looking 'young'!

Even today, where menopause is being talked about more, where amazing female actors remain on our screens for far longer, menopause is still not finding its way in as much as it should, despite this being something over 50% of the population experience.

It is like a breath of fresh air when it does get a mention. Even more so when it is done right. Its still so few and far between that is is easy to remember those shows, those episodes that actually dared to say the word out loud!

Grey's Anatomy. Dr Miranda Bailey. Menopause.

I remember this episode, and I remember thinking that Chandra Wilson did such a great job as an actor, and the writers such a good job with the script. It wasn't included as a comical moment, it was included (like is the case with so many storylines) to bring this out into the open - and hopefully provide a little bit of education along the way.

Want to take a look? Season 16, Episode four! Picture the scene, mid hot flash, sweat pouring, Miranda delivers two very important lines:

My hormones are hitting me like a tidal wave....

I know it was coming one day, no one really warns you about all the feelings....

YES, YES YES! Through those two lines, Miranda shared the words, the thoughts, the frustrations of millions of women all around the world!

And so no, we have not yet got a menopause focused blockbuster (its time will come) but we have progress... slow but real.

And United States of America. Like in so many nations, there is work to do but that progress is still there. Lawmakers who are making things easier, Businesses who are offering more support. And a changing culture where menopause is something to be spoken about, not silenced.

Coming up: look out for my next 'menopause around the world' post where we'll be taking a trip to Japan!