England integrates menopause questions into NHS Health Checks to boost support for women

Women across England will soon receive menopause-related questions in routine NHS Health Checks, marking a major shift in recognising and addressing menopause through public health initiatives.

Women across England are set to benefit from a significant update to the NHS Health Check programme with the introduction of menopause-related questions into routine assessments. The Department of Health and Social Care announced in October that this addition aims to provide nearly five million women with greater awareness and support during the menopause transition, marking the first time menopause will be included in these health evaluations.

NHS Health Checks, typically offered to people aged 40 to 74 without certain pre-existing health conditions, are free assessments focusing primarily on cardiovascular health risks such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and stroke. They currently take around 20 to 30 minutes and are designed to identify individuals at elevated risk, offering advice on managing or reducing that risk. With the new update, questions specific to menopause will be developed in collaboration with health experts to address the unique ways menopause affects women, including symptoms like hot flashes, joint pain, weight gain, and cognitive challenges such as brain fog.

Menopause generally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, with symptoms often lasting about seven years. However, fewer than one in ten women feel adequately informed to manage these symptoms effectively. The inclusion of menopause questions in the NHS Health Check is intended to rectify this information gap, helping women recognise symptoms sooner and seek appropriate care.

Industry and advocacy groups have warmly welcomed this move. The British Menopause Society emphasises that incorporating menopause into routine checks will enable healthcare professionals to provide timely, evidence-based guidance, enhancing women’s health through this life stage. Likewise, Women’s Health Concern, the British Menopause Society’s patient arm, highlights the importance of this step in raising awareness and improving access to care.

Local government leaders have also thrown their support behind the initiative. The Local Government Association (LGA) sees the update as an important acknowledgement of menopause’s impact on women’s wellbeing and advocates for complementary digital support, such as personalised guidance through the NHS App to aid symptom management.

Menopause campaign groups, including Menopause Mandate, have celebrated the announcement as a milestone achievement linked to their efforts to integrate menopause into broader health care conversations and systems. Their advocacy suggests the change will help transform how women experience menopause by fostering earlier recognition of symptoms and more informed health decisions.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting underscored the update’s significance, stating the previous silence and lack of support surrounding menopause had left many women to cope unaided. He described the changes as part of a broader government overhaul of women’s healthcare aimed at providing long-overdue recognition and assistance to those navigating menopause and perimenopause.

Currently, NHS Health Checks are offered every five years to eligible individuals without pre-existing cardiovascular or related conditions, with invitations typically sent by GPs or local councils. Those in the target age group who have not received an invite are encouraged to contact their GP or local council. It remains to be seen how the inclusion of menopause questions will affect the duration or scope of these appointments, but the initiative represents a clear step towards integrating women’s reproductive health into routine NHS screenings.

Overall, the update is being hailed as a vital advancement in public health, addressing a historically overlooked area by embedding menopause support into an established national programme, with the potential to enhance the health, wellbeing, and quality of life for millions of women across England.

📌 Reference Map:

• Paragraph 1 – ^[1] (Cornwall Live), ^[2] (gov.uk)
• Paragraph 2 – ^[1] (Cornwall Live), ^[2] (gov.uk)
• Paragraph 3 – ^[1] (Cornwall Live), ^[5] (thebms.org.uk), ^[6] (womens-health-concern.org)
• Paragraph 4 – ^[3] (local.gov.uk)
• Paragraph 5 – ^[7] (menopausemandate.com)
• Paragraph 6 – ^[1] (Cornwall Live), ^[4] (itv.com)
• Paragraph 7 – ^[1] (Cornwall Live)

Source: Noah Wire Services

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-related questions in routine 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, as the information is current and directly sourced from the official announcement.

Quotes check

Score:
10

Notes:
The direct quotes from Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting and Dr Sue Mann, National Clinical Director in Women’s Health for NHS England, are consistent with those found in the official press release. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-nhs-update-brings-menopause-into-routine-health-checks?utm_source=openai)) This consistency suggests that the quotes are accurately attributed and not reused from other sources.

Source reliability

Score:
10

Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable organisation, the Department of Health and Social Care, which issued the press release. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-nhs-update-brings-menopause-into-routine-health-checks?utm_source=openai)) This source is authoritative and trustworthy, lending credibility to the information presented.

Plausability check

Score:
10

Notes:
The claim that menopause-related questions will be included in routine NHS Health Checks aligns with the official announcement from the Department of Health and Social Care. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-nhs-update-brings-menopause-into-routine-health-checks?utm_source=openai)) The details provided, including the development of specific questions in collaboration with health experts, are consistent with the information available from reputable sources. The language and tone are appropriate for the topic and region, and the structure focuses on relevant details without excessive or off-topic information.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative is based on a recent and authoritative press release from the Department of Health and Social Care, with consistent and accurate quotes. The information is current, directly sourced, and aligns with official announcements, indicating high credibility and freshness.