Health

NHS to include menopause questions in routine health checks to support millions of women

Friday, 24 October 2025 4:03AM UTC

The NHS is introducing menopause-related questions into routine health checks, a move aimed at empowering nearly five million women across England with better support and awareness of menopause symptoms, marking a significant shift in women’s healthcare.

The NHS is set to implement a significant change by including questions about the menopause in routine health checks, a move expected to benefit nearly five million women across England. This initiative aims to raise awareness of menopause symptoms, such as hot flushes, mood swings, and sleep difficulties, and encourage women to seek support rather than endure these often debilitating changes in silence. Health Secretary Wes Streeting highlighted that women have been "suffering in silence for too long" and that this change will finally provide the visibility and support that those experiencing menopause and perimenopause have long demanded.

Menopause typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, marking the end of menstrual periods due to declining hormone levels, with a transitional phase known as perimenopause lasting several years beforehand. Routinely offered every five years to eligible people aged 40 to 74, NHS health checks have traditionally focused on conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, and dementia. The forthcoming inclusion of menopause-related questions—currently under development with expert guidance—reflects a broader overhaul of women's healthcare led by the government.

This move responds to longstanding criticism about how menopause has been neglected within the healthcare system. According to the Department of Health and Social Care, about 75% of women experience symptoms such as weight gain, joint pain, memory issues, and "brain fog," yet fewer than 10% feel they have enough information to manage these changes effectively. Dr Sue Mann, NHS England's national clinical director for women's health, stressed that many women feel unheard and unsupported regarding menopause symptoms that can profoundly impact their lives. The revision of NHS health checks is part of a concerted effort to change this, ensuring women no longer have to "put on a brave face" while facing these challenges alone.

The initiative has received broad support, including from the Local Government Association (LGA), whose Health and Wellbeing Committee Chair, Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor, called it a "long-overdue recognition" of menopause's significant impact on women's health and quality of life. She emphasised the importance of normalising conversations around menopause to promote early intervention and reduce stigma.

This change also aligns with the government’s renewed Women's Health Strategy, which aims to remove barriers to healthcare access for women across England and ensures timely, appropriate care. The strategy reinforces a commitment to building an NHS fit for the future—one that better addresses women’s health needs throughout their lives.

Meanwhile, advocacy efforts continue to push for even more comprehensive support. MPs from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Menopause, for instance, have called for free NHS menopause health checks for all women aged 45 and over, alongside improved access to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and enhanced training for healthcare professionals regarding menopausal symptoms.

Supporting these healthcare reforms, initiatives such as Health Innovation North West Coast being awarded 'Menopause Approved' status highlight a growing commitment within the NHS to foster menopause awareness and better support women in workplaces and healthcare settings alike.

Overall, the integration of menopause questions into NHS health checks marks an important step toward recognising and addressing menopause as a serious health issue rather than a natural but silent passage. It promises to empower millions of women with the information and support necessary to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

📌 Reference Map:

Paragraph 1 – ^[1] (Manchester Evening News), ^[2] (gov.uk)
Paragraph 2 – ^[1] (Manchester Evening News), ^[2] (gov.uk)
Paragraph 3 – ^[1] (Manchester Evening News), ^[4] (ITV News)
Paragraph 4 – ^[1] (Manchester Evening News), ^[3] (Local Government Association)
Paragraph 5 – ^[5] (gov.uk), ^[1] (Manchester Evening News)
Paragraph 6 – ^[7] (Sky News), ^[1] (Manchester Evening News)
Paragraph 7 – ^[6] (Health Innovation North West Coast), ^[1] (Manchester Evening News)
Paragraph 8 – Synthesised from all sources

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/nhs-confirms-major-change-affecting-32735935 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-nhs-update-brings-menopause-into-routine-health-checks - The UK government has announced that menopause advice will be incorporated into routine NHS health checks for the first time. This initiative aims to raise awareness of menopausal symptoms and provide women with the confidence to seek support. Health Secretary Wes Streeting highlighted the move as a significant step in overhauling women's healthcare, ensuring those experiencing menopause and perimenopause receive the visibility and support they have long been asking for. The inclusion is expected to benefit nearly five million women aged 40 to 74.
https://www.local.gov.uk/about/news/menopause-be-included-routine-nhs-health-check-lga-statement - The Local Government Association (LGA) has welcomed the inclusion of menopause questions in routine NHS health checks. Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor, Chair of the LGA's Health and Wellbeing Committee, described the move as a long-overdue recognition of the significant impact menopause has on women's health and quality of life. She emphasised the importance of normalising conversations about menopause, improving early intervention, and reducing the stigma surrounding this natural life stage.
https://www.itv.com/news/2025-10-22/menopause-questions-in-nhs-health-checks-to-stop-women-suffering-in-silence - ITV News reports that questions about menopause will be included in NHS health checks for the first time, a move that could benefit millions of women in England. Health Secretary Wes Streeting stated that women have been 'suffering in silence for too long' and that the update will give those experiencing symptoms such as hot flushes, mood swings, and trouble sleeping 'visibility and support'. The inclusion aims to raise awareness about symptoms and encourage women to seek help.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-womens-health-strategy-to-be-renewed - The UK government has announced the renewal of the Women's Health Strategy to address longstanding barriers and improve access to healthcare for women across England. This strategy follows the announcement that menopause questions will be included in NHS health checks, marking a significant step in overhauling women's healthcare. The renewed strategy aims to ensure every woman receives the healthcare she deserves, when she needs it, as part of the mission to build an NHS fit for the future.
https://www.healthinnovationnwc.nhs.uk/news/Health-Innovation-North-West-Coast-is-menopause-approved - Health Innovation North West Coast has been awarded 'Approved' status by the Menopause Experts Group, becoming the first NHS organisation to achieve this distinction. This recognition highlights the organisation's commitment to promoting menopause awareness and education, and fostering a culture that actively supports menopause in the workplace. The award coincides with Menopause Awareness Month, underscoring the importance of addressing menopause-related issues in healthcare settings.
https://news.sky.com/story/all-women-aged-45-should-be-offered-free-nhs-menopause-health-check-mps-say-12718444 - MPs from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Menopause have called for all women aged 45 and over to be offered a free NHS menopause health check. The MPs emphasised the need for improved support and advice for women, including making Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) prescriptions free on the NHS and enhancing training for medical professionals on menopausal symptoms. The proposal aims to ensure women are better prepared and have access to the right information and treatment to manage the menopause transition.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative is based on a recent press release from the Department of Health and Social Care, dated 23 October 2025, announcing the inclusion of menopause questions in NHS health checks. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-nhs-update-brings-menopause-into-routine-health-checks?utm_source=openai)) This indicates high freshness.

Quotes check

Score: 10

Notes: The direct quotes from Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Dr Sue Mann are consistent with those in the official press release, confirming their authenticity. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-nhs-update-brings-menopause-into-routine-health-checks?utm_source=openai))

Source reliability

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative originates from the Manchester Evening News, a reputable UK news outlet, and references official government sources, enhancing its reliability.

Plausability check

Score: 10

Notes: The claims about the inclusion of menopause questions in NHS health checks are corroborated by multiple reputable sources, including the Department of Health and Social Care and the Local Government Association. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-nhs-update-brings-menopause-into-routine-health-checks?utm_source=openai))

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative is based on a recent and original press release from the Department of Health and Social Care, with consistent and authentic quotes. The source is reputable, and the claims are corroborated by multiple reliable outlets, indicating high credibility.

NHS
menopause
women's health