Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala has announced plans to establish specialised menopause clinics in district hospitals, with ₹3 crore earmarked for the initiative in the state budget presented on Thursday. Menopause can bring a range of physical and emotional challenges, including hormonal fluctuations, sleep disturbances, mental stress and bone-related ailments, creating a need for focused and sustained medical care. The proposed clinics will offer a range of services under one roof, including medical consultations, mental health counselling, screenings related to cardiac, bone and hormonal health, along with medicines and guidance, officials said. With this move, Kerala joins Maharashtra, which earlier this month became the first state in the country to introduce dedicated menopause clinics in government hospitals and urban health centres. Maharashtra launched the initiative on Makar Sankranti, January 14.