The percentage of female benefits plan members using fertility drugs rose by roughly 12 per cent between 2019 and 2023, according to a new report by Manulife Financial Corp.
The report, which analyzed the insurer’s 2024 aggregate claims data, found between 2021 and 2023, 15 per cent of new mothers made claims for mental-health treatments within six months following their pregnancy. Indeed, four in 10 (42 per cent) of those who sought treatment post-pregnancy hadn’t made a claim for mental-health medication and/or therapy in the year before they were pregnant, suggesting their condition developed (or existing symptoms worsened) during pregnancy or after the birth of their child.
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Conversely, nearly half of women (45 per cent) who sought mental-health treatment in the year before their pregnancy didn’t make a mental-health claim in the months following the birth of their child, suggesting many women may stop mental-health treatment either during or following their pregnancy.
In 2023, only 13 per cent of women between ages 45 and 65 made a claim for hormone replacement therapy. However, the report found usage is increasing among this age group, as from 2020 to 2023, the use of HRT increased by nearly 21 per cent, suggesting the treatment is increasingly being understood as an important approach to managing menopausal symptoms.
“Manulife recognizes that supporting women’s health — whether related to menopause, fertility, or post-partum mental health — is essential for fostering a productive and inclusive workforce,” said Jenn Foubert, Manulife’s assistant vice-president, health, well-being and disability products, in a press release. “Comprehensive benefits and flexibility can make all the difference in helping women thrive both personally and professionally.”
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