These days, discussions about the menopause are everywhere, from TV programmes (thanks, Davina McCall!) to the Houses of Parliament. While there’s no doubt that public awareness about this most female of matters is long overdue, some of us are worried that there’s an unintended downside – namely, that older women are now being labelled and categorised more than ever before. The debate around the menopause has been stoked up by recent government decisions. Earlier this year, ministers blocked a proposal to make it a ‘protected characteristic’ in the workplace under the Equality Act of 2010. This came as a blow to campaigners, not least to the cross-party Women and Equalities Committee, which has long pushed
