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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
MavisMcMinty · 08/11/2023 13:52

Oh bloody well done, Mumsnetters!

Glad I skipped straight to the last page of this thread after reading the first, I was feeling pretty fucking furious!

peachescariad · 08/11/2023 13:50

I've just composed and sent mine - Sebastian can 'ave it! May there be a torrent of complaints.
Good Bye Boots

SilverSilverStreet · 08/11/2023 13:41

Ooh, I think the bottom of the page needs updating.

Edit - probably that is the last time the Pharmacy team reviewed it. Today’s changes will have been made by someone with a different focus. 😉

Boots menopause advice for "people with a vagina"
tobee · 08/11/2023 13:41

Interesting thread all round.

I wonder what Boots customer demographic is? Percentage of customers who are women to men? 🤔

RavingStone · 08/11/2023 13:41

FriendsReunited · 08/11/2023 10:00

Why is Boots so terrified of offending transpeople but cares not at all about offending women? So sick of the double standards.

It doesn’t even make sense. The people experiencing menopause have wombs. Boots is adopting the porn-type language that defines women as whatever men can fuck. No one calls us clitoris-havers or womb-havers, it’s all about the vagina because this activism is all about misogynistic men.

Never thought about it precisely like this. Yes it's never clitoris haver is it. Always the function or the bit of interest to men. Utterly dehumanising.

NeverTrustAPoliceman · 08/11/2023 13:35

Aww, I was halfway though composing a stern email. Never mind, good to see they have taken their telling off on board.

People with vaginas indeed. What utter, utter codswallop.

catduckgoose · 08/11/2023 13:33

At least they're not just inflicting this language on women like what usually happens. I was quite surprised to see "people with testicles" amongst all the other bollocks.

SilverSilverStreet · 08/11/2023 13:30

Yes, it says “women” for me, too.

Well done for giving feedback to Boots, MNetters.

The menopause is a natural process which women go through as they get older however, in some cases, is medically induced.

Presumably the odd sentence structure is because they have changed it in a hurry.

Boots menopause advice for "people with a vagina"
Tessisme · 08/11/2023 13:30

Alicethroughtheblackmirror · 08/11/2023 13:21

It seems to say women now - at least, it does for me!

Great news. If they alienate women, they won't sell much, so this'll be a panic about their profits. Still pleased though!

HumourReplacementTherapy · 08/11/2023 13:29

Wow that was quick!! Well done to the people who emailed and brought this to their attention.
I hope whoever wrote /agreed it has been given a bollocking (aka MENS bollocks balls or testicles or a telling off)

Riapia · 08/11/2023 13:25

It’s quite simple.
It’s done so as not to confuse the “women” with a penis.
😉😁😁.

LondonLass91 · 08/11/2023 13:23

Alicethroughtheblackmirror · 08/11/2023 13:21

It seems to say women now - at least, it does for me!

Yes really good news.

BIWI · 08/11/2023 13:23
Grin
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.

LondonLass91 · 08/11/2023 13:23

The link now reads 'women'. Well done Boots, very good to see they have responded so promptly to complaints. Back on the shopping list again!!

Alicethroughtheblackmirror · 08/11/2023 13:21

It seems to say women now - at least, it does for me!

LondonLass91 · 08/11/2023 13:18

yetanotherusernameAgain · 08/11/2023 13:16

Boots' ED page is quite funny:

"Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the term used to describe the difficulty of getting and maintaining an erection firm enough for sex. Although people are more likely to experience ED as they get older, most will experience it at some point in their lives. ...
Not all people experience the symptoms of erectile dysfunction in the same way. Some people can’t get an erection at all [yeah, especially people who don't have a penis], some people lose their erection before sex, and others can’t get an erection hard enough for sex. If you can’t get or keep an erection long enough for sex, you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction. You aren’t alone; 4.3 million men [oops, surely "people with a penis"] in the UK have experienced erectile dysfunction symptoms.*"

I suppose some people-without-a-penis do 'experience' ED when their partner-with-a-penis can't maintain an erection, but I don't think that's what they meant.

Who wrote..and agreed...this?!?! Are they Stonewall bods per chance?!

yetanotherusernameAgain · 08/11/2023 13:16

Boots' ED page is quite funny:

"Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the term used to describe the difficulty of getting and maintaining an erection firm enough for sex. Although people are more likely to experience ED as they get older, most will experience it at some point in their lives. ...
Not all people experience the symptoms of erectile dysfunction in the same way. Some people can’t get an erection at all [yeah, especially people who don't have a penis], some people lose their erection before sex, and others can’t get an erection hard enough for sex. If you can’t get or keep an erection long enough for sex, you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction. You aren’t alone; 4.3 million men [oops, surely "people with a penis"] in the UK have experienced erectile dysfunction symptoms.*"

I suppose some people-without-a-penis do 'experience' ED when their partner-with-a-penis can't maintain an erection, but I don't think that's what they meant.

IcakethereforeIam · 08/11/2023 13:15

Are they fixing it? I get contact lenses from them, I was going to look for a new provider.

Leavingonapetjlane · 08/11/2023 13:14

I have written to complain. I hope more people do.

Forester1 · 08/11/2023 13:14

Looks like this may have been escalated to someone who understands the issues raised. Hopefully they are working through the other pages now.

Vivolvolo · 08/11/2023 13:11

madeinmanc · 08/11/2023 12:04

Why not "women and trans men"? 🤔

Exactly this!

catduckgoose · 08/11/2023 13:09

More erasure on these pages:

https://www.boots.com/healthhub/fertility

"The number and quality of eggs decreases as people with ovaries get older, this can vary from person to person, but fertility for someone with ovaries usually starts to decline from the age of 36."

https://www.boots.com/inspiration-advice/health/fertility-and-conception/male-fertility

"Unlike people with ovaries, who have an ovulation period and can only become pregnant on certain days of their hormonal cycle, people with testicles don’t have a fertile window, as sperm is continually being formed and stored in the testicles, ready to be used at any time."

Infertility & Conceiving Advice – Boots Health Hub

Explore infertility causes and find all the information you need for conceiving if you're struggling with infertility.

https://www.boots.com/healthhub/fertility

Codlingmoths · 08/11/2023 13:05

This is amazing that they are responding! I have just looked up my chemist (not in the uk) re vaginal thrush and they say women. Thank god.

TheChristmasPig · 08/11/2023 13:03

Wow quick action Boots! Rubbish that it was badly/offensively phrased in the first place, but they seem to be responding to the presumably numerous complaints quickly. I hope they stand by it.