NHS Health Checks to Include Menopause Questions

Published: 23 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

For the first time, NHS health checks in England will include questions about the menopause, a move expected to benefit millions of women and improve access to tailored care. Adults aged 40 to 74 without pre-existing long-term conditions are eligible for a check every five years. These assessments, designed to identify risks of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, and dementia, will now also consider menopause-related health concerns.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) estimates that this change could affect up to five million women, with the questions being developed over the next few months and anticipated to be implemented from 2026. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the update would provide women with “the visibility and support they have long been asking for,” acknowledging that many have previously navigated the menopause with little guidance or understanding from the health system.

“Women have been suffering in silence for far too long,” Mr Streeting said. “No one should have to grit their teeth and just get on with what can be debilitating symptoms or be told that it’s simply part of life.”

Menopause symptoms are widespread: around three-quarters of women experience hot flushes, night sweats, depression, or sleep disturbances, while a quarter report severe symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence as a first-line treatment. It can also help maintain muscle strength and prevent osteoporosis. However, many women report that they are not listened to and do not receive adequate support from healthcare providers.

Dr Sue Mann, NHS England’s national clinical director for women’s health, emphasised that including menopause questions in NHS health checks would help more women access the support they need to manage symptoms effectively.

Experts welcomed the announcement but stressed the need for equitable access to health checks. Professor Ranee Thakar, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, praised the initiative as “fantastic news” but urged targeted outreach to ensure women from diverse ethnic backgrounds and socially deprived areas can benefit. She also highlighted the importance of high-quality menopause training for healthcare assistants administering the checks.

Kate Muir, author of Everything You Need to Know About the Menopause (But Were Too Afraid to Ask), said: “This is desperately needed, particularly to provide evidence-based information for women on the benefits of HRT. GPs’ appointments are a perfect way to get knowledge into all communities. NHS statistics show that 23% of white menopausal women are on HRT, compared to just 5% of Black women and 6% of Asian women. This could be a significant step toward closing that gap.”

Janet Lindsay, chief executive of Wellbeing of Women, stressed the need to focus on marginalised communities, warning that progress on menopause support must be inclusive. She called on healthcare professionals to collaborate with grassroots organisations to ensure that women facing additional barriers receive the care they need.

This NHS initiative is expected to increase awareness, reduce stigma, and provide a stronger evidence base for healthcare providers to support women through menopause, while also addressing disparities in treatment access across communities.