Symptomatic menopause: Additional challenges for incarcerated women

A human rights assessment of menopausal women's access to age- and gender-sensitive nondiscriminatory health care in prison

“…Gender-sensitive nondiscriminatory free health care Prison system failures to consider the needs of older women and to provide for adequate menopause management are frequently documented across the sources. 33,34,39,40,42,45,46 Complexities of menopause and comorbid health of women living in detention settings are ill considered (psychiatric illness, drug dependence, prior trauma). 37 Global reviews/opinion pieces observed the lack of life-course appropriate information, mental health supports, and pharmacological and lifestyle interventions for detained menopausal women, and underscored the need for effective personalized management of menopause in prison.…”

“…47,48 Environmental conditions and menopausal sequelae Despite the observed increases in numbers of older women in prisons globally, and although menopause was described as a unique and yet common health issue within the detention space, documentation around detention conditions experienced during menopause in prison remains underexplored. 33,34,[39][40][41]45,46 The assessment reveals a violation of Bangkok Rule 5; "accommodation of women prisoners shall have facilities and materials required to meet women's specific hygiene needs, including sanitary towels provided free of charge." 22 Women's experiences of menopausal symptoms were observed to be particularly uncomfortable within detention spaces.…”

“…Examples include the recommendation to reform and bring New York's policies in line with legal, medical, and international standards 35 and the need for evidence-based prescribing of menopause management in US prisons 36 . Policies and pathways to support continuity of menopausal care spanning prison and community reinsertion warrant improvement 33,44 . The Women's Health Clinic in Canada helped the continuity of treatment as it assisted the transition gap between in prison and community during the release 44 …”

“…This opportunity should also be seized for imprisoned women where the health gains are likely to be even greater for the individual. Further research with both imprisoned women and prison staff (both health care and custodial) is warranted to raise awareness and to inform evidence-based policies and practices to improve quality of life of older women in prison 33,39,47 …”

Menopause-related medication use among women age 45-75 experiencing incarceration in North Carolina 2015-2016

“…The number of women ≥ 45 years of age experiencing incarceration in state or federal prisons has more than doubled since 1999, with 25,337 women in this age group incarcerated in 2019 (Beck, 2000; Carson, 2020). However, there is a lack of evidence around the extent to which menopause-related health needs are being met in prison and jail facilities (Schach et al , 2021). Though the experience of menopause varies between women, many menopausal women report vasomotor symptoms (e.g.…”