US fertility benefits provider to introduce perimenopause and menopause support

The US fertility benefits company WIN is to launch a new initiative to help women access perimenopause and menopause support.

The WIN PowerPause programme aims to provide women with perimenopause and menopause support and help patients access specialty care through the virtual menopause clinics Midi Health and Visana Health.

Nurse care advocates will be able to discuss with women perimenopause and menopause symptoms and help them prepare questions to ask their provider during doctor visits. They can also match patients with providers best suited to treat their symptoms.

Patients in all 50 states will have access to providers who are specially trained in menopause and perimenopause care.

WIN says its PowerPause project will also ensure patients have access to behavioural health coaching, nutritional guidance, and prescription medications.

“We are proud to roll out WIN PowerPause to simultaneously address both health and business concerns,” said Roger Shedlin, president and CEO at WIN.

“At WIN, our clients recognise that overlooking menopause care widens the equity gap, given the impact perimenopause and menopause can have on women at a critical time in their careers.

“This is especially true for members in the BIPOC community who tend to experience longer transition periods with more intense symptoms.

“Employers offering comprehensive women’s healthcare to employees is a strategic investment in supporting diverse workforces and fostering a healthier, more productive and engaged team.”

Shelly MacConnell, chief strategy officer at WIN, said: “The population navigating menopause and perimenopause have been underserved, misdiagnosed, or even mistreated due to lack of specialised support and care coordination—until now.

“Through WIN PowerPause and the partnerships with Midi Health and Visana Health, WIN’s goal is to help patients minimise the impact of their symptoms and support them in finding the highest levels of care through seamless coordination.

“This creates a positive patient experience during what can be a stressful and uncertain time in a woman’s life.”

Joe Connolly, co-founder and CEO at Visana Health, added: “We are proud to partner with WIN, a long-standing and trusted fertility benefit company, to provide our patients with access to fertility care and family-building resources.

“This partnership also provides employer partners with the most comprehensive women’s health solution that meets the needs of all women in the workplace, regardless of what stage of life they’re in.”

Joanna Strober, co-founder and CEO of Midi Health, said: “Midi is excited to partner with WIN to expand access to expert-level care for women. Perimenopause and menopause symptoms are treatable, and there is no reason for women to just power through.

“With care protocols created by world-class specialists and a team of highly trained clinicians, Midi’s treatment ensures women are heard and treated appropriately.”

Each year in the U.S., nearly US$1.8bn is lost in work productivity due to menopause symptoms and the associated chronic, yet preventable, conditions, but quality menopause care is hard to find.

Only 1,500 providers worldwide are menopause certified, less than 20 per cent of OB/GYNs receive menopause training, and nearly three-quarters of women report not receiving the necessary treatment for menopause symptoms.

“Menopause is a profound and transformative period in a woman’s life, and it deserves the same level of specialised attention and expertise,” said Dr Lubna Pal, professor of obstetrics, gynaecology and reproductive sciences at Yale School of Medicine and consulting medical director and at WIN.

“Offering dedicated menopause care allows women the knowledge and support they need to navigate this transition in life.”