Today marks a significant moment for women’s health in England. The government has announced that the free five-yearly health checks offered by the NHS to adults aged 40 to 74 will, for the first time, include questions about menopause and perimenopause.
Why does this matter?
Many women experience symptoms of the menopause such as hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes, sleep disruption, brain fog, and joint aches. Yet too often, these symptoms go unrecognised, are misattributed to stress, ageing, or simply accepted as normal, or go unsupported.
By embedding questions about menopause into routine health checks, the aim is to raise awareness earlier, normalise conversations, and ensure more women receive the information, support, and treatments they need.
What’s changing?
The NHS Health Check, offered every five years to adults aged 40 to 74, will now include dedicated questions about the menopause. Women who report symptoms will be directed to appropriate information, support, or treatment. This move is expected to benefit nearly five million women in England.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasised the importance of this change, stating,
“Women have been suffering in silence for far too long. It is time the system reflected the importance of this life stage and offered proper care and support.”
He also added,
“Including menopause in routine health checks is a major step towards normalising conversations about menopause and ensuring women get the help they deserve.”
What it means in practice
For women approaching or in their 40s and beyond, this change means that when they next attend their NHS Health Check, they may be asked about menopausal symptoms. This is not just about heart disease, diabetes, or stroke risk, but also about changes in the body, sleep, mood, and general wellbeing related to the menopause.
For clinicians and health services, it means recognising menopause as an integral part of midlife health for many, not a fringe topic. It also means being prepared to offer conversations, signposts, and referrals where relevant.
Why it is important beyond awareness
Early recognition means earlier advice, earlier access to treatments such as hormone replacement therapy where appropriate, and fewer women left wondering what is happening to them.
Menopause intersects with other health issues including cardiovascular health, bone health, and mental health, so having it included in a holistic check supports better overall care.
It also addresses equity. A recent study found that women from certain ethnic or socio-economic backgrounds are less likely to access menopause care or feel confident to raise symptoms.
The challenges ahead
This announcement is a major step forward, but it will only be meaningful if accompanied by effective follow-through. Some of the issues to watch include training and awareness among GPs, nurses, and other staff so they can interpret the questions and offer meaningful support.
Ensuring services are prepared for any increase in demand for menopause consultations, management, and treatment options is vital.
Addressing the existing postcode lottery in menopause care provision which leaves many women disadvantaged is another important challenge.
Finally, it is crucial to continue expanding the conversation beyond a one-off question in a health check to a culture where women feel supported throughout their menopause journey.
What you can do if you’re approaching this stage
When you next attend a health check, do not shy away from mentioning any changes in your sleep, mood, temperature swings, joint aches, or memory. These could be menopause-related.
Ask your GP or practice nurse about menopause support and whether hormone replacement therapy or other interventions might be appropriate for you.
Look for reliable information and support networks so you feel informed and empowered.
Employers and workplaces should also recognise the importance of menopause awareness and offer flexibility or reasonable adjustments where needed to support midlife women in the workforce.
Watch this space
This move to integrate menopause into routine NHS health checks is a landmark for women’s health. It signals that menopause is now being treated not as an inconvenient afterthought but as a normal important phase of life that deserves attention, support, and care. If implemented well, it has the potential to improve quality of life for millions of women, reduce avoidable suffering, and bring women’s health more fully into focus.
We will be watching closely how the details roll out during the next months. It is now down to health services, clinicians, and the system as a whole to ensure this policy change translates into meaningful experience on the ground.
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