Menopause Screening: A Step Forward for Women’s Health, but let’s Make Sure It Reaches Every Woman
What a fantastic month it’s been!
Throughout Menopause Awareness Month, I’ve had the privilege of speaking to hundreds of incredible women, listening to their stories, their struggles, and their triumphs. The conversations have been heartfelt, and one message rings clear:
Women want to be heard, supported, and understood
That’s why the recent announcement that menopause screening will be officially incorporated into NHS health checks in England is such welcome news. From next year, women aged 40 to 74 who attend routine NHS health checks will be asked about their menopause symptoms, a change that could impact up to five million women.
This is a landmark moment. For the first time, menopause will be acknowledged as an essential part of women’s health, sitting alongside checks for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease.
The aim is to ensure that women who are struggling with symptoms such as hot flushes, anxiety, brain fog, or joint pain are signposted to the right help, whether that’s HRT (hormone replacement therapy), medication, counselling, or lifestyle support.
As someone who works with women daily through the menopause journey, I see the potential of this change. For too long, women have been left to navigate menopause alone, often dismissed or told to “just get on with it.” Including menopause in health screenings helps bring the conversation into the mainstream, breaking down stigma and normalising what every woman will experience in some form.
However, awareness alone is not enough. For this initiative to truly succeed, there must be training for staff, clear pathways for referral, and cultural sensitivity in how questions are asked. Many women, especially those from ethnic minority and lower-income communities, are still less likely to attend health checks or to feel comfortable discussing menopause with healthcare professionals.
Menopause affects every woman differently
Some glide through with minimal symptoms; others are hit by a storm of physical and emotional challenges that affect their work, relationships, and confidence. No two experiences are the same, and that’s why a compassionate, personalised approach is vital.
So yes, this announcement is progress, a real victory for women’s health. But as I reflect on this incredible month of awareness and conversation, I’m reminded that progress is only powerful when it’s accessible to all.
Let’s use this moment to keep the conversation alive, to keep listening, and to keep ensuring that women across every community know:
You are not alone
You are not invisible
Support is available.
