AN SNP MSP will call today for the stigma around the menopause to be ended.

Collette Stevenson will also demand that greater support be provided for around 400,000 women across Scotland.

She will say that employers should provide flexibility for employees who suffer from the effects of the menopause such as memory loss, insomnia, anxiety, palpitations, and pain.

The MSP will highlight how South Lanarkshire Council became the first local authority in Scotland to implement such flexibility.

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The Scottish Government recently launched its Women’s Health Plan which looks to ensure women can access specialist menopause services.

Commenting ahead of the debate, she said: “Ending stigma around menopause is something I am very passionate about.

“In my time on South Lanarkshire Council I was instrumental in implementing the Menopause in the Workplace policy and I hope other workplaces and local authorities can follow suit.

“The plan commits to developing a menopause and menstrual health workplace policy, and promoting it across the public, private and third sector.

“Support available continues to improve, but the stigma must end. Women’s health should be a subject we can broach without fear or flux.”