Today : Oct 23, 2025
Health
23 October 2025

NHS To Add Menopause Screening To Health Checks

Millions of women in England will be asked about menopause symptoms during routine NHS health checks in a move designed to boost support and reduce stigma.

For the first time in its history, the National Health Service (NHS) in England will include menopause screening as part of its routine health checks, a move that could transform the lives of millions of women. Beginning in 2026, women attending NHS health checks—offered every five years to adults aged 40 to 74—will be asked about menopause and its symptoms. The initiative aims to bring menopause into the mainstream of healthcare, offering support and advice that many women have previously found hard to access.

According to the BBC, the government hopes this update will not only identify those who might benefit from treatments such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), medication for hot flushes, and counseling, but also reduce the stigma that has long surrounded menopause. Health Secretary Wes Streeting, speaking on October 23, 2025, made it clear that the change is about visibility and support: "Women have been suffering in silence for far too long and haven't been encouraged to open up about the symptoms they're experiencing. This often means they're left to navigate menopause alone with very little support."

The NHS health checks, until now, have primarily focused on identifying the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney disease, diabetes, and dementia. They include routine measurements like blood pressure, cholesterol, and body mass index (BMI), and are usually conducted in GP surgeries or pharmacies. The addition of menopause questions, the specifics of which are still being developed in consultation with health experts, marks a significant expansion of the check's scope.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) estimates that almost five million women could benefit from this new approach. The inclusion is designed to raise awareness about menopause symptoms and give women the confidence to seek help. As Dr. Sue Mann, national clinical director in women's health at NHS England, told The Independent, "Far too often we still hear women say their concerns aren’t listened to or that they aren’t getting enough support for the debilitating symptoms that can come with the menopause, many of which can have a big impact on their lives and can be invisible to others. We want to change that – no-one should have to put on a brave face or feel they are facing symptoms of menopause or perimenopause on their own."

Menopause typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, though symptoms can begin earlier during perimenopause. The BBC reports that three-quarters of women experience symptoms—ranging from joint pain, weight gain, and hot flushes to memory issues and brain fog—that can last an average of seven years and impact daily life. Despite the prevalence of these symptoms, fewer than one in ten women feel they have enough information to cope with menopause, according to the DHSC.

Women's Health Ambassador Dame Lesley Regan emphasized the scale of the issue, noting that about 400,000 women in the UK will become menopausal this year. She told BBC, "Some 400,000 women in the UK will become menopausal this year, but the vast majority of them will have very little knowledge of what underlies the many and varied symptoms." She added, "There is an inevitability that every girl and woman who has menstrual periods will become menopausal, some earlier than others. Which is why it is so important that we provide all girls and women with the information and supportive healthcare they need to deal with their menstrual health and their menopausal health and wellbeing so that they are not disabled or disadvantaged by easily treatable symptoms that prevent them contributing to society. When we get it right for women, everyone benefits."

Hormone replacement therapy remains the main treatment for menopause, helping to replace the hormones that are at low levels. Other medications can target specific symptoms like hot flushes and mood swings. However, as Janet Lindsay, chief executive at Wellbeing of Women, pointed out to The Independent, stigma and shame around women’s health still persist: "Too many still do not reach out for help — often because they don’t recognise what they’re experiencing as menopause or are unaware of the support available."

The new screening initiative is not without its challenges. Uptake of NHS health checks is worryingly low in some communities, with fewer than half of people invited actually attending, according to the BBC. This low participation rate raises concerns that many women—especially those from marginalized or ethnic communities and poorer areas—may not benefit from the new questions. Lindsay noted, "Women and people from marginalised communities are less likely to know about or attend these appointments, and progress on menopause support cannot leave them behind. Healthcare professionals must work with grassroots organisations embedded in these communities to ensure that those facing additional barriers receive the tailored care they need."

Professor Ranee Thakar of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists stressed the importance of training staff to ensure the change has the maximum positive impact. She told the BBC that breaking down barriers and reducing stigma is crucial, but so is making sure that those delivering the health checks are equipped to address sensitive topics effectively.

Beyond the immediate health benefits, experts suggest that better menopause support could have broader societal and economic impacts. Menopause employment ambassador Mariella Frostrup described the change as a "major leap forward" for women and business. She told The Independent, "When women understand their own biology and the changes that come with midlife, they’re better equipped to look after their health and their careers. It’s good for women, good for the economy, and good for employers who want to retain experienced talent. I’m delighted that menopause will now be a central part of health checks for every woman walking into midlife."

The government acknowledges that more must be done to reach women who are less likely to attend health checks, including those in marginalized communities. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said, "This Government is overhauling women’s healthcare and giving those experiencing menopause and perimenopause the visibility and support they have long been asking for." The hope is that by mainstreaming menopause discussions within routine health checks, more women will feel empowered to seek help and manage their symptoms, rather than suffering in silence.

With the rollout set for 2026, the coming months will see the development of specific menopause-related questions and the training of healthcare professionals. The challenge now is to ensure that the benefits of this policy reach all women, not just those already engaged with the healthcare system. If successful, this initiative could mark a turning point in how menopause is understood and supported in England, setting a precedent for women’s health policy moving forward.