Menopause is now a disability (UK)

[mik]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-68366519

[Rich B]

Worth understanding what the word means, it’s not synonymous with “being in a wheelchair” (which I bet would be the definition and awful lot if people would say).

From the cdc website (though every other definition is similar).

A disability is any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities (activity limitation) and interact with the world around them (participation restrictions).

Seems a fit.

[Gavster]

Rich is being strangely correct I have a disability railcard for hearing loss. Although my current hearing loss isn't severe enough to qualify as a disabilty under the equality act, when it was far worse in my early thirties it would have qualified, despite the fact I was fully participating in life, work, social life etc.

There's a helluva lot of people who have disabilities who don't 'claim' that disability until they're genuinely struggling to participate.

[Mito Man]

What about the manopause?

[Sundayjumper]

From the cdc website (though every other definition is similar).

A disability is any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities (activity limitation) and interact with the world around them (participation restrictions).

Is there any wording around it being chronic or permanent ? Because according to that wording above, having a cold is a disability, but I doubt anyone gets a blue parking permit for it. To my mind a disability needs to be something that affects a person permanently.

[Jobbo]

To my mind a disability needs to be something that affects a person permanently.

That is a good point. To get a blue badge, presumably it does need to be permanent or lengthy/chronic - you would be able to get one if you had lost a leg, for instance, but not if that leg was broken and you could not use it for a couple of months. The menopause is longer than a few months of course.

[Mito Man]

I was told I had good grounds to apply for a blue badge but didn't bother. I could still stagger around, I feel like you shouldn't get one until you're crawling

[GG.]

What about the manopause?

This is actually a thing but its correct name is the andropause.

[Mito Man]

What about the manopause?

This is actually a thing but its correct name is the andropause.

Yes, decreasing testosterone. You'd hope with equality these days that it would also be taken into account.

[GG.]

I would think it is typically not as prevalent or severe as the menopause, though having said that, rates of suicide increase markedly in men of that age so perhaps should not be glibly dismissed.

[dinny_g]

As someone with a partner currently in the first stages of menopause (denial) I’d like to say that menopausal women should be allowed to do whatever they want, all the time…

[jamcg]

I see shit like this as a m something that will be exploited. When something is new and in the press this will be taken more seriously than people with existing problems, and will encourage”woe is me” behaviour. Some will genuinely need the support but I know plenty of people who would gladly welcome this purely because they’re too bone idle to get on with working

My wife has a disability that started as an injury but has developed into something that severely limits her quality of life currently. She has osteoarthritis in her right knee, plus has had her acl snap, repaired, snapped, different type of repair, and has snapped again. She has a blue badge but that’s about all she qualifies for. She’s not really given any real help at work, she just gets on with what she can- she has been working on massively reduced hours because of this for the last 4 years, but doesn’t qualify for any esa or anything because surgery can “fix” it. Currently waiting on 5th surgery that will hopefully be more than a temporary fix this time.

[jamcg]

I should add I voted 2. Employers should have to help, but no way is menopause a disability unless it’s massively severe, then existing procedures should kick in.

[DeskJockey]

I guess it boils down to the definition of disability. I'm probably leaning towards option two, but as I'm not the one impacted, I'd rather the distinction was made by a woman who is/would be.

[DeskJockey]

To my mind a disability needs to be something that affects a person permanently.

That is a good point. To get a blue badge, presumably it does need to be permanent or lengthy/chronic - you would be able to get one if you had lost a leg, for instance, but not if that leg was broken and you could not use it for a couple of months. The menopause is longer than a few months of course.

Doesn't need to be chronic/permanent. Former colleague had one for a couple of years while he slowly recovered from a medical issue that restricted his mobility. Once he could walk without a cane, he was no longer eligible.

[V8Granite]

What about the manopause?

This is actually a thing but its correct name is the andropause.

Yes, decreasing testosterone. You'd hope with equality these days that it would also be taken into account.

It’s also a reason that lots of men between 45 and 50 kill themselves.

After seeing the affects on someone the menopause isn’t talked about enough with couples. I bet the divorce rate instigated by women would reduce hugely if it was more openly discussed and understood by both sides.

A disability ? Not at all, there should just be the help for both sides to get through it.

Dave!

[Swervin_Mervin]

I guess it boils down to the definition of disability. I'm probably leaning towards option two, but as I'm not the one impacted, I'd rather the distinction was made by a woman who is/would be.

So very much this.

[Jobbo]

This is actually a thing but its correct name is the andropause.

Yes, decreasing testosterone. You'd hope with equality these days that it would also be taken into account.

It’s also a reason that lots of men between 45 and 50 kill themselves.

After seeing the affects on someone the menopause isn’t talked about enough with couples. I bet the divorce rate instigated by women would reduce hugely if it was more openly discussed and understood by both sides.

A disability ? Not at all, there should just be the help for both sides to get through it.

Dave!

Who are you and what have you done with Dave? Surely 'man up' is the answer?

[DeskJockey]

Yes, decreasing testosterone. You'd hope with equality these days that it would also be taken into account.

It’s also a reason that lots of men between 45 and 50 kill themselves.

After seeing the affects on someone the menopause isn’t talked about enough with couples. I bet the divorce rate instigated by women would reduce hugely if it was more openly discussed and understood by both sides.

A disability ? Not at all, there should just be the help for both sides to get through it.

Dave!

Who are you and what have you done with Dave? Surely 'woman up' is the answer?

FTFY.

[V8Granite]

I guess it boils down to the definition of disability. I'm probably leaning towards option two, but as I'm not the one impacted, I'd rather the distinction was made by a woman who is/would be.

So very much this.

I think the opposite, it’s a huge marriage destroyer as men don’t know how to deal with it and women don’t know how it affects others.

Dave!