Clarke, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Resolution to Establish World Menopause Awareness Month and World Menopause Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 8, 2026 MEDIA CONTACT: e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov c: 202.913.0126 WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congresswomen Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY-09) and Julia Letlow (R-LA-05) introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution to establish October as World Menopause Awareness Month and October 18th as World Menopause Day. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the resolution’s companion in the Senate. These observances will contribute to the spread of global awareness and access to care during menopausal transition and post-menopause, as well as provide organizations and individuals around the world with an opportunity to advocate for resources and support for the 75 million American women in perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. “Throughout our lives, women deserve the support we need to confront every trial and embrace every triumph each of our chapters has in store for us. Menopause is a natural experience that we all must face, yet the stigma that follows it continues to inflict needless ridicule and shame on women at a time when all we ask for is acceptance and understanding,” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke. “World Menopause Awareness Month and World Menopause Day will be the bridges to normalizing menopause and ensuring the women confronting it have the resources, care, and confidence they need to tackle their new horizons head on, and I am proud to lead this bipartisan legislation to see both codified as national observances.” “Through any stage of life, women need access to reliable information to make educated decisions about their health. World Menopause Awareness Month shines a light on the millions of women undergoing menopause every year, highlighting the need for women to have a better understanding of the treatments and options available to them,” said Congresswoman Julia Letlow. “Generations of women have faced the transition to menopause, yet for too long this experience has been overlooked, under-researched, and treated as taboo,” said Lisa Senator Blunt Rochester. “It’s far past time we ensure women have the care and support they need to feel their best in all phases of life. I’m proud to introduce the World Menopause Awareness Month Resolution to elevate the challenges of menopause and encourage further investments into research that will help women meet this transition with confidence.” “Our health care system has failed women struggling with menopausal symptoms that disrupt their livelihoods, and this unfortunate reality disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic women,” said Senator Cory Booker. “This resolution is a reminder that we must do more to support women navigating menopause and provide them with the resources they need. Menopause should not be a barrier to the quality of life every woman deserves.” “The resolution introduced by Congresswoman Yvette Clarke represents another important step toward breaking down the barriers that have too often left women without the information, care, and relief they need throughout the menopause transition,” said Donna Klassen of Let’s Talk Menopause. “We proudly support this resolution and applaud Congresswoman Clarke’s leadership in bringing greater attention to menopause, expanding access to trusted health information and care, and ensuring women have the resources they need to navigate this stage of life with confidence and support.” “Menopause is a universal experience for women, and yet, for too long menopause has been understudied. This has left us with significant knowledge gaps about menopause itself, including its symptoms and treatments, but also about the effects of menopause on overall health and healthy aging. Fortunately, we now have momentum to course correct. The Society for Women’s Health Research thanks Representative Clarke for her leadership on the resolution designating October as World Menopause Awareness Month and October 18 as World Menopause Day. We must collectively continue raising awareness about menopause, which can help shape research priorities and ensure women and health care providers have the evidence and information needed to make informed decisions about menopause care,” said Lindsey Miltenberger of the Society for Women’s Health Research. Menopause is more than a personal, biological transition—it has lasting implications for women’s health and well-being, and for families, workplaces, and society. The Black Women’s Health Imperative endorses this resolution to recognize October as World Menopause Awareness Month and expand awareness, provider education, and access to the resources and care that women, particularly Black women, need for a healthy, dignified menopause, ” said Ifeoma Udoh, Ph.D. of the Black Women’s Health Imperative. The resolution is endorsed by the American Medical Association, Astellas, Greater New York Hospital Association, Healthcare Association of New York State, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, Mount Sinai Health System, National Medical Association, National Minority Quality Forum, Novo Nordisk, Inc., NYU Langone Health, One Brooklyn Health System, Reproductive Health Access Project, Ritual, The Fibroid Foundation, and The White Dress Project. Read the full bill text HERE . ###