The latest episode of The Visibility Gap podcast delves into the disruptive effect of perimenopause and menopause. About 1.3 million American women enter menopause every year, and nearly half of them say their symptoms significantly disrupt their work performance. Unfortunately, many do not receive adequate care.

The episode, “The menopause movement,” features host Dr. Jen Ashton, a certified OB-GYN, and a panel of clinical experts who have personal experience with perimenopause and menopause. They discuss the stigma and silence surrounding menopause and emphasize the need for better education and support. They also address the potential financial and professional tolls of menopause and highlight the reasons unprepared and unsupported women tend to leave the workforce prematurely.

The panelists also advocate for more transparent dialogue and workplace accommodations to ensure women can thrive during perimenopause and menopause, emphasizing the topic as an important health issue deserving attention and resources.

This episode, presented by Cigna Healthcare, is part of the second season of the podcast, which focuses on the unique challenges and disparities women face in health care.

Even though women tend to live longer than men, they spend 25% more of their lives in poor health. Diseases that primarily affect women often receive significantly less research funding. A study by the Evernorth Research Institute of 7.4 million insured people ages 13 to 64 found that women, who make up half of those covered, accounted for 53% of health care use and 57% of total costs. Despite only 7% of evaluated health conditions being OB-GYN-related, 69% of all reported conditions were more common or costlier for women. These health disparities impact every aspect of women’s lives, including their ability to work and care for loved ones.

Each episode of the second season of The Visibility Gap podcast features personal stories told by women who experienced health care challenges, along with expert panelists who discuss the steps needed to enact meaningful changes to close the women’s health gap. The goal is to empower listeners with knowledge and inspire action to address these inequities. “It’s time to confront what’s been overlooked and push for progress,” Dr. Ashton said.

Previous episodes of The Visibility Gap discussed diagnostic delays and racial inequities in women’s care, the rising incidence of mental health issues among teenage girls, cancer among women under 50, and the challenges of heart disease, fertility treatment, and chronic pain. To explore these topics as well as episodes from season 1, please visit the podcast page and subscribe.