(128) Behind Bars and Beyond Silence: Addressing Menopause Care and Education for Incarcerated Women

Abstract Introduction Menopause is a universal transition, yet incarcerated women face unique barriers to evidence-based care. Correctional health systems are often unprepared to address vasomotor, genitourinary, and psychosocial symptoms, leading to untreated suffering and worsening inequities. Advocacy initiatives such as Impact Justice’s Menopause Project have begun to highlight this overlooked population, but clinical guidance and research remain scarce. Objective 1. Review current literature on menopause experiences and care in incarcerated populations. 2. Identify barriers to evidence-based management in correctional settings. 3. Explore opportunities for scalable educational interventions, including “Menopause in a Box Education series target for incarcerated women Methods A narrative literature review was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, and grey literature (2010–2025) using terms menopause, incarcerated women, prison health, and health disparities. Articles addressing symptom prevalence, clinical management, systemic barriers, and interventions were included. Results The review identified limited but consistent evidence of profound gaps in care. Symptom burden is intensified by carceral conditions such as heat, stress, and lack of hygiene supplies. Health staff often lack menopause training, with inconsistent access to hormonal and non-hormonal therapies. Psychosocial factors including trauma, stigma, and lack of privacy exacerbate suffering. Few interventions have been developed or evaluated, though emerging projects suggest feasibility of education-based solutions. Conclusions Incarcerated women remain invisible in the menopause movement, with critical unmet needs. An educational platform built for this population may provide scalable, low-cost solutions to bridge knowledge gaps for both patients and providers. Partnerships with correctional systems and further research are essential to address this neglected health inequity. Disclosure No.