Despite affecting 51% of the population, the menopause is widely misunderstood and overlooked. Figures show that three out of four women (and people with ovaries) going through the menopause experience symptoms such as hot flushes, insomnia, fatigue, decreased sex drive, bladder control difficulties, weight gain, headaches, anxiety, accelerated ageing, hair loss, brain fog and even suicidal thoughts.

There are plenty of solutions out there to support and ease people through this period, but many GPs are not sufficiently trained to recognise or treat the symptoms. Frequently, this means that those experiencing menopausal symptoms do not receive the care they deserve, and many are misdiagnosed with depression and put on antidepressants.

This is not ‘just’ a health issue; unsupported menopause symptoms can lead to work absences and even the complete loss of experienced talent from our workforce and economy — at a time when the country needs people to work further into their retirement.

There is one medical treatment well documented to help menopausal symptoms — Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) — and it’s one of the only hormonal therapies NOT free on NHS prescription in England.

That’s why we, Cult Beauty, are supporting the cross party backed Menopause (Support & Services) Bill to make HRT free of NHS charges in England — as it is currently in Scotland and Wales.

A step in the right direction for menopause rights, recognition and education, sign this petition to call on the UK Government to show its support for free HRT in England, and the improvement of menopause care in the UK.