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Original poster

Boots menopause advice for "people with a vagina"

245 replies

Givemepickles · 08/11/2023 09:26

On their menopause support page, where apparently they want to normalise the menopause...

https://www.boots.com/health-pharmacy/womenshealth/menopause-support

"The menopause is a natural process which people with a vagina go through as they get older however, in some cases, is medically induced. As oestrogen levels start to drop, periods become less frequent and eventually stop altogether. For some, their periods stop quickly, but for others, it can take a few months or a few years. Everyone is different.

Menopause signs and symptoms are different for everyone and usually begin between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average age for people in the UK being 51. Whilst some choose to seek treatment plans from their GP, others will look for other solutions to help manage signs & symptoms."

I'm so sick of this. I'm not defined by having a vagina! I am a woman. Piss off Boots.

Menopause Support, Advice & Products - Boots

Boots is here to support you through the menopause with information, tips and an extensive range of products to ease your symptoms.

https://www.boots.com/health-pharmacy/womenshealth/menopause-support

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
Watchingpaintdrying · 08/11/2023 16:09

I wonder why men aren’t described as ‘penis havers’.

SirChenjins · 08/11/2023 15:57

I can't see the bit about vaginas anymore - I'm either looking in the wrong place (highly likely) or they've changed it (probably less likely...)

boudiccathecat · 08/11/2023 15:43

I’ve emailed the CEO of boots and also Sexmatters. Having revisited the Boots website they have changed one word on the front page , every other piece of writing is carefully avoiding using the word woman or female etc.

SweetBirdsong · 08/11/2023 15:40

SirChenjins · 08/11/2023 15:35

Looks like they changed it!

It does say this ...

The menopause is a natural process which women go through as they get older

It said 'which people go through' before! Wow, have they really changed it?!

UpUpUpU · 08/11/2023 15:37

Surely it should say people with ovaries if it has to not say women?

SirChenjins · 08/11/2023 15:35

Looks like they changed it!

mrswhiplington · 08/11/2023 15:33

IdleAnimations · 08/11/2023 15:05

Well done Mumsnetters who emailed and kicked off!

They don’t like when women organise and here is proof as to why. I salute you my vagina having comrades 😉

Power to the people. Sorry, I mean women. 😄

borntobequiet · 08/11/2023 15:28

TheShellBeach · 08/11/2023 09:28

Ah well.
That's another reason not to shop there.
That, and their awful website.

And the way they seem to have dispensed (ha!)with employing reasonable numbers of staff.
I used to get my prescriptions via Boots, I don’t any more. There was rarely pharmacy cover.

IdleAnimations · 08/11/2023 15:24

Artesia · 08/11/2023 14:12

To be fair I probably prefer the use of period care. "Feminine" just sounds so faux coy, and re-enforces the idea that being a woman is the same as being feminine.

Show quote history

Difficulty is the ‘period’ section often includes intimate wash products, incontinence pads, daily pads, sometimes pregnancy tests, contraception and women’s multivitamins etc. Well in my local store it’s all one area.

Female Health Products would be more encompassing I think.

IdleAnimations · 08/11/2023 15:05

Well done Mumsnetters who emailed and kicked off!

They don’t like when women organise and here is proof as to why. I salute you my vagina having comrades 😉

wherethewildtbingsgo · 08/11/2023 14:55

I'm sure someone has made this point already but post-operative transmen will arguably no longer have a vagina but they will presumably still have a menopause as they have ovaries/womb (unless removed) whereas trans women may have a surgically constructed vagina but won't go through the menopause as they have no womb. So aside from being medically incorrect, who exactly are they trying to include with this? Pre-op transmen and non-binary people? As someone has said, why do the 99% of women who identify as such have to shove along and be defined by (incorrectly defined) body parts?

Also I can't get my head around the idea that non-binary or pre-op transmen would genuinely have an issue with the word "woman" in this context. It feels like Boots are solving for an issue that never existed in the first place.

Motnight · 08/11/2023 14:46

Puffalicious · 08/11/2023 09:45

I'm so fucking sick of this shit. Sick & tired of it.

It's like bloody whack a mole

qwertyuiopasdfgh · 08/11/2023 14:41

gosh did it really get changed?! let's get on to the rest of the pages quick smart :)

tobee · 08/11/2023 14:33

What's Superdrug like on this?

Cosmosforbreakfast · 08/11/2023 14:27

I'm disgusted with Boots. I've bought gifts, skin care products, make up, false nails and contact lens solution there for years. Done with them now, they won't be getting a single penny more from me.

booksandbeans · 08/11/2023 14:25

Some advice for Boots from a person with a vagina: use proper words, respect your target market & remember, go woke, go broke.

TheShellBeach · 08/11/2023 14:13

Rightsraptor · 08/11/2023 13:23

I read that too, @yetanotherusernameAgain, and I'm wondering if I should go to the Dr as I've never in my whole life had an erection.

🤣🤣🤣

Artesia · 08/11/2023 14:12

cbuew9 · 08/11/2023 10:37

I even noticed in Sainsbury's where their signage used to say "feminine care" (where all the tampons/pads are etc) it now says "period care"

To be fair I probably prefer the use of period care. "Feminine" just sounds so faux coy, and re-enforces the idea that being a woman is the same as being feminine.

TheShellBeach · 08/11/2023 14:11

Can't believe we're still having to deal with this nonsense.
Hmm

ArthurbellaScott · 08/11/2023 14:08

Changing one phrase is not going to cut it, Boots.

Women need our words back.

ArthurbellaScott · 08/11/2023 14:07

There is not one use of the word 'woman' on the pregnancy page, for example.

https://www.boots.com/healthhub/womens-health/pregnancy

The page on the pill:

'Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that affects a person’s periods, fertility, hormones and your physical appearance. Some people with PCOS may be prescribed the contraceptive pill to help regulate their hormonal imbalance and menstrual cycle.'

https://www.boots.com/inspiration-advice/health/womens-health-advice/contraceptive-pill-common-question

Periods:

'A period is the part of the menstrual cycle when a person passes blood from their vagina for several days. The length of a menstrual cycle varies from person to person but on average lasts around 28 days.'

Pregnancy Health & Postpartum Care Advice - Boots Health Hub

Explore all the pregnancy advice, tips and services on health available at Boots Health Hub and also learn all about postpartum care advice.

https://www.boots.com/healthhub/womens-health/pregnancy

tobee · 08/11/2023 14:05

ArthurbellaScott · 08/11/2023 14:02

Boots.com - clients are 64% women

https://www.similarweb.com/website/boots.com/#demographics

Thank you

FFSWhatToDoNow · 08/11/2023 14:04

They’ve only changed the first reference. They’ve still got “people” throughout the rest.

ArthurbellaScott · 08/11/2023 14:03

That's good it's been changed, but I want a fucking apology.

ArthurbellaScott · 08/11/2023 14:02

Boots.com - clients are 64% women

https://www.similarweb.com/website/boots.com/#demographics