Manulife Canada, in collaboration with its medical director, the Cleveland Clinic Canada and along with the womenmind initiative at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), have released a new report which shows rising hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use. 

The research also shows an increase in postpartum mental health claims, and a notable increase in fertility drug use – despite the fact that very few employers offer fertility treatment as a benefit.

The report, Raising the profile of women’s health issues, uses Manulife’s group benefits aggregate claims data to look at the impact of menopause and other women’s health issues in the workplace.

Specifically, it found HRT use rose 20.7 per cent between 2020 and 2023. “The report highlights a growing need for menopause support in the workplace,” Manulife’s researchers add in a statement about the report’s release. “Menopausal symptoms can be debilitating.”

Uncontrollable menopause symptoms 

They add that 59 per cent of women between 45 and 55 say menopause negatively impacted their ability to work. “Data from the Canadian Menopause Foundation reveals that 10 per cent of women in Canada will stop working because of uncontrollable menopause symptoms,” they add. The report further indicates that only 13 per cent of Canadian women between 45 and 65 take HRT to ease their symptoms.

The researchers recommend employers play a key role in helping by offering more comprehensive drug coverage, flexible work schedules and by normalizing discussions about menopause in the workplace. “According to the report, these measures can help reduce absenteeism, enhance workplace well-being and improve retention among women.” 

In looking at other women’s health issues, they note that only 10 per cent of Canadians with a Manulife group benefits plan have fertility treatment benefits. “Fewer than one per cent of employers offer coverage for fertility clinic treatments as part of their plan,” they write.

Fertility drug use rose 25.7 per cent since the pandemic. Compared to pre-pandemic claims data, there was a 12.2 per cent overall increase in the number of women using fertility drugs from 2019 to 2023.

Postpartum mental health 

Finally, the report discusses postpartum mental health, saying 15.1 per cent of new mothers made mental health claims within six months of giving birth. Among these women, 42 per cent were seeking such help for the first time.

“Employers have a vital role to play in supporting women’s health. By providing adequate health care coverage, reasonable accommodations and supportive policies and practices, employers can help women cope with their health challenges and reduce the risk of absenteeism, disability and turnover,” the report states. “Moreover, employers can benefit from investing in women’s health, as it can enhance your organization’s reputation, employee loyalty, diversity and innovation.”