[10] Many facilities do not provide access to locally controlled air conditioning or fans which are needed to regulate and relieve hot flashes, which are a common symptom of menopause.
[11] The symptoms of menopause may also include mental health issues such as feelings of shame, embarrassment, short-temper, loneliness and depression which are challenging to manage for well-being in prison.
[3] There are additional physical complications as menopause often brings osteoporosis and in prisons the weight-bearing exercises and extra support may not be available to help in treatment.
[11] In the UK the health of older prisoners is seen to be worse than that of the wider community and many have additional disabilities or long-standing illness.
[16] In the USA the fastest-growing segment of the prison population is women but health systems which have been designed for men fail to meet their needs.
Women are offered access to hormone replacement therapy and the option to change their sheets frequently if they suffer from night sweats.