Menopause screening to be included in NHS health checks from next year

"Menopause screening is to be officially incorporated into NHS health checks in England for the first time. Women getting the checks - offered to adults aged 40 to 74 every five years - will be asked about the menopause and possible symptoms from next year. The aim is to identify women who may benefit from advice and support, including treatment, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), drugs to combat hot-flushes, and counselling."

""Women have been suffering in silence for far too long and haven't been encouraged to open up about the symptoms they're experiencing," he said. "This often means they're left to navigate menopause alone with very little support. 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.""

From 2026 menopause screening will be added to NHS health checks for adults aged 40 to 74, with women asked about menopausal symptoms. The screening aims to identify women who may benefit from advice, support and treatments including HRT, drugs for hot flushes and counselling. Health checks already screen for cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney disease, diabetes and dementia through blood pressure, cholesterol and BMI measurements. Menopause typically occurs between 45 and 55, with three-quarters of women experiencing symptoms such as joint pain, weight gain, hot flushes, memory problems and brain fog that can last an average seven years. Campaigners warn low uptake in some communities could limit benefits.

Read at www.bbc.com