Think men don’t care about periods and menopause? Think again

When we talk about women’s health at work – periods, endometriosis, perimenopause, menopause – there’s a common assumption that men either aren’t interested or shouldn’t be involved. Many don’t feel they have the authority to speak on the topic, worried they’ll say the wrong thing or overstep. But at Metluma, we’re seeing a different story unfold. In room after room, men show up not just with curiosity but with care – eager to understand, to ask thoughtful questions, and to better support the women they work and live alongside. 

Late last year, we held a first-of-its-kind Men’s Think Tank on menopause. Twenty senior leaders across various industries are coming together to bring their perspectives to women’s workplace barriers. It’s a fact that men still hold the majority of senior leadership roles (even in feminised workforces), are the majority of policy decision makers and annoyingly still do call the shots on everything from healthcare to product development and investment in said products and services! It might feel against the grain for many women who are coming to terms with the patriarchal medical system that got us here, but we actually can’t do this without them.

Accelerating action isn’t going to happen just with women talking to each other about the issues we face. Male allies are a crucial piece of the puzzle. This month we delivered many client sessions to thousands of people – from fireside chats and webinars to immersive masterclasses for women and men – in partnership with some of Australia’s largest employers, including Roche, Ausgrid as well as Emergency Services Foundation which brought together 13 front-line member organisations across Fire, Ambulance and Police workforces.

The response? Nothing short of inspiring.

We witnessed workplaces stepping up. Teams not just showing up, but leaning in – sharing vulnerable stories, asking thoughtful questions, and committing to meaningful action. There were raw, vulnerable stories. There were lightbulb moments. But more than anything, there was a collective sense of we’re in this together and the butterfly effect of people feeling less alone in their experiences.

But if there was one moment that really stuck with us, it was our Menstruation to Menopause masterclass… for 200 men.

That’s right. Men are signing up to better understand women’s health across their lifespan – not just for their teams but for the people they love: their partners, daughters, mothers, and sisters. And what struck us most? Their curiosity. Their compassion. Their eagerness to learn.

Let’s be honest: there’s a lot of noise out there about “diversity fatigue,” about how inclusion is losing steam. But what we’re seeing on the ground tells a very different story. Our men’s sessions are one of the most sought-after.

We were asked:

“Should I be taking my daughter to the doctor if she has bad stomach cramps for 2–3 days every period?”

“Do the symptoms go away after menopause, or do they just stay around forever?”

“Is the stigma around taking hormone replacement therapy improving?”

“My mum is on HRT and it’s helped her immensely, but she’s scared her doctor will try to take her off it – is that common?”

These weren’t just questions. They were care made visible. They were deeply human concerns.

For years, Metluma has championed the importance of including men in the conversation around menstruation, menopause, and everything in between. Why? Because women don’t live, work, or age in a vacuum. True change happens when we build shared understanding across the whole team.

And what we learnt from this masterclass is that men want to be part of this. They’re not just willing – they’re ready.

The more we create space for questions, the more we reduce stigma. The more we model open dialogue, the more we normalise support. And when it comes to women’s health in the workplace, that makes all the difference.

So let’s take the negative rhetoric around inclusion with a grain of salt. The world might be noisy, but real progress doesn’t shout. It shows up – often quietly, often humbly – in rooms like these.

To the men who joined us – thank you. For showing up with open minds and open hearts. This is how we build healthier, more inclusive communities. Together.