Menopause in Primary Care: A Moment for Change

Menopause is one of the most common, yet often most underestimated factors shaping women’s health in primary care. Around 13 million women in the UK are currently perimenopausal or menopausal, roughly one-third of the female population, yet many still struggle to access consistent, evidence-based advice and treatment. According to recent research, many women feel their symptoms are not taken seriously, and clinicians report varying levels of confidence in managing menopause-related care.

Sometimes it’s the main reason a woman books in, but more often it emerges halfway through the appointment, hidden behind other concerns like poor sleep, low mood, joint pain, or fatigue. It’s one of those issues that can often linger beneath the surface of other health concerns, yet once discussed, it’s clear how much impact it’s having day to day.

That’s why the recent NHS announcement that menopause will now be included in routine NHS Health Checks (specifically for the eligible 40–74 age cohort) feels important. It recognises that this stage of life deserves structured, proactive care, and creates an opportunity for primary care teams to start these conversations earlier, with more confidence and consistency.

Why It Matters for Primary Care Teams

For primary care teams, this change represents a meaningful step forward in how we approach women’s health. While guidance and resources from NICE (NG23 Menopause: identification and management, QS143: Menopause), the British Menopause Society (BMS) and the Primary Care Women’s Health Society already outline good practice, discussions can still vary from practice to practice.

Including menopause within NHS Health Checks helps bring greater consistency, making these conversations a routine part of care rather than something that happens only when symptoms become severe.

This change aligns with the government’s broader Plan for Change to build an NHS fit for the future, modernising outdated systems and strengthening prevention, while supporting the ambitions of the Women’s Health Strategy for England, which recognises women’s health, including menopause, as a key public health priority.

The Case for Action

According to the British Menopause Society, the average age of natural menopause in the UK is around 51 years, and the perimenopause can last four to eight years, with most women experiencing at least some symptoms during this time. Between 75% and 80% of women experience menopausal symptoms, with around one in four describing them as severe.

Half of women report that menopause affects their home life, and more than a third say it has an impact on their work. Despite this, over one-third of women never seek medical advice, and many face delays in diagnosis or treatment.

Clinician confidence also varies widely, highlighting the need for accessible, practical training, not only in prescribing HRT, but in recognising perimenopause, supporting lifestyle change, and addressing the emotional and psychological impact this stage can bring.

Menopause care has also evolved rapidly in recent years. Updated guidance on HRT, a stronger focus on cardiovascular risk, and a more individualised, shared decision-making approach are reshaping best practice. While it’s encouraging to see menopause education becoming a national priority, there remains a need for structured learning and ongoing supervision within practice teams to build confidence and ensure consistent, high-quality care.

Navigating Complexity in Modern Practice

While the NHS Health Check is a valuable opportunity to open the conversation, managing menopause in primary care is far more complex than screening or signposting. Every woman’s experience is unique, and consultations often involve balancing symptoms, expectations, and risk factors.

Take HRT, for example, one of the most discussed (and debated) treatments in menopause care. Providing effective, personalised support means understanding the nuances: reviewing medical history, assessing cardiovascular and breast cancer risk, and choosing the most appropriate delivery method, based on patient preference and safety.

Menopause management also extends well beyond symptom relief. Primary care plays a vital role in preventative health, addressing the long-term impacts of oestrogen deficiency. Monitoring bone and cardiovascular health, supporting mental wellbeing, and promoting physical activity all contribute to improving quality of life after menopause.

It’s also crucial that we maintain focus on equity of access. Women from minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ patients, and those in deprived areas still face barriers to care. The BMS report on Menopause in Ethnic Minority Women highlights issues of health-literacy, stigma, cultural attitudes and access. Embedding menopause within existing Health Checks provides a route to close these gaps, but only if inclusivity, cultural competence, and awareness remain central to how we deliver care.

A Broader Approach: Lifestyle, Equity, and Access

The growing focus on menopause has encouraged a more holistic approach, recognising how lifestyle plays a key role in symptom management and long-term health. Exercise, nutrition, sleep, and stress management can all have a profound impact, and the advice we offer in primary care can help women take back a sense of control.

Beyond the consultation room, menopause also intersects with wider wellbeing, workplace culture, equity, and staff health all shape outcomes. Recent NHS workforce policies have placed menopause and women’s health firmly within the agenda for staff wellbeing too. Yet many women still feel forced to reduce hours or leave their roles due to unmanaged symptoms, particularly in healthcare professions themselves. What we do in consultations has ripple effects that extend into communities, workplaces, and families.

The Call for Cohesion: Education and Society

The need for better menopause education is now recognised nationally. The Women’s Health Strategy for England called for a consistent training offer across the NHS, ensuring that clinicians can recognise and support menopause confidently.

For those in primary care, this means ensuring that every member of the multidisciplinary team, from GPs and pharmacists to practice nurses and HCAs, has access to evidence-based, practical education. Whether it’s symptom recognition, lifestyle advice, or navigating complex prescribing, upskilling across the team is key to improving patient experience and safety.

According to the BMS Vision for Menopause Care in the UK (2024), every primary care team should identify at least one clinician with a special interest in menopause, to support colleagues and ensure consistent, high-quality care.

Confidence Through Ongoing Learning

It’s an exciting yet challenging time for primary care professionals. With guidance, public awareness, and patient expectations all evolving quickly, keeping up can feel daunting. But the appetite for learning is there, and that’s what will make the biggest difference to patient care.

At Health Academy, we’ve recently developed our Managing Menopause in Primary Care course, led by Menopause Specialist Alexandra Fryer, a practical, evidence-based programme designed to help clinicians feel confident managing menopause consultations. It combines current NICE/BMS guidance with real-world case discussions and practical strategies for everyday consultations.

For something shorter, our upcoming Q&A Lunchtime Session: Menopause in Practice held on Thursday 20th November 2025 between 12:30-1.15pm offers a relaxed, interactive space to stay up to date, ask questions and share experiences.

Looking Ahead

The inclusion of menopause in NHS Health Checks reflects a growing movement, one that’s pushing menopause higher up the health agenda than before. Awareness is increasing, but it’s clear that better training, education, and support are still needed to make sure every woman receives the same quality of care, wherever she lives.

For those in primary care, this is a moment to strengthen our knowledge and confidence, ensuring menopause care is embedded as part of everyday practice. Whether it’s offering evidence-based advice, tailoring treatment, or creating space for open, judgement-free conversations, what we do in the consultation room matters deeply.

As we move forward, let’s keep the momentum going, building skills, sharing learning, and raising awareness across our teams and communities so that menopause care becomes not just good practice, but standard practice.

To find out more about upcoming menopause learning opportunities and team training options, visit our course page below or contact the team for details.

Managing Menopause in Primary Care

Our ‘Managing Menopause in Primary Care’ course provides registered health care professionals with the essential knowledge and skills needed to effectively support women going through menopause in primary care settings.

Category: F2F course, Primary Care Courses, Virtual course, Women’s Health