NO MORE GUESSING GAMES: Many women experience challenges when seeking a diagnosis for perimenopause (Image: Getty)
The Government announced in October that menopause screening will be integrated into routine NHS Health Checks for women over the age of 40 this year. This major policy shift is designed to catch hormonal symptoms early and reduce the number of women struggling without support.
Currently, many UK women visit their GP multiple times before their perimenopause is correctly identified by medical professionals. This proactive update aims to close the ‘diagnostic gap’ in which symptoms are often misdiagnosed as other health conditions.
By making menopause a standard part of the 40+ check-up, the NHS hopes to standardise care nationwide. Early recognition remains a challenge for many women, who are unsure what perimenopause is and when to seek help.
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Hanna Yusuf, prescribing pharmacist at Chemist4U, believes that understanding this life transition is the first step toward getting the right support, saying: “Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause. During this phase, hormone levels, particularly oestrogen, begin to fluctuate irregularly.
“Women may experience symptoms such as irregular periods, hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, and changes in libido. This phase can last for several years and continues until menopause is officially reached.”
While the average age for perimenopause is 47, symptoms can frequently appear as early as the mid-30s for some. “As a result, symptoms can be misdiagnosed and attributed to other conditions like anxiety, depression or thyroid disorders. Misunderstanding these early signs can delay important treatment options, such as HRT, non-hormonal therapies and lifestyle changes,” says Yusuf.
The new NHS screening is designed to catch these signals during routine appointments to ensure women receive appropriate help. This could mean earlier access to HRT or lifestyle support rather than being incorrectly prescribed antidepressants.
How to access your perimenopause/menopause check
- Check your eligibility: If you are aged 40 to 74 and have not had an NHS Health Check in the last five years, you are eligible. You will usually receive a letter or text from your GP surgery inviting you to book.
- Request an appointment: You don’t have to wait for an invite. Contact your local GP surgery and ask if they are currently booking the “Menopause-integrated 40+ Health Check.”
- Track your symptoms: Before your appointment, use a period tracking app or a simple diary to note down changes in your mood, sleep, or cycle. This data is vital for the “shared decision-making” process.
- Prepare your questions: If you are interested in HRT or specific lifestyle support, mention this at the start of your check-up to ensure it is covered in your 20-minute slot.
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The ’12-month rule’ remains the clinical standard in the UK for determining when the transition is complete. “Menopause is officially defined as the point at which a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. It typically occurs in the late 40s to early 50s but can vary widely among individuals,” explains Yusuf.
“At this stage, the ovaries have largely ceased producing eggs, and oestrogen and progesterone levels have significantly decreased. Menstrual periods cease entirely, and many of the symptoms experienced during perimenopause continue into the early stages of menopause.”
Choosing the right treatment
Under the 2026 NHS guidelines, ‘shared decision-making‘ is encouraged to ensure any treatment is tailored to individual needs. This often involves a combination of medical intervention and specific lifestyle adjustments.
The NHS suggests that adopting proactive lifestyle habits is essential for managing immediate symptoms and protecting long-term vitality during the menopausal transition.
Guidelines suggest prioritising a calcium-rich diet, including dairy and leafy greens like kale, alongside regular weight-bearing exercise, such as walking or dancing, to maintain bone density and cardiovascular health.
Experts also highlight the importance of ‘sleep hygiene’ and restorative practices like yoga or meditation to manage cortisol levels and mood fluctuations. While herbal supplements are popular, it is vital to consult a healthcare professional before starting any complementary medicines to ensure they do not interfere with other treatments.
“When lifestyle changes haven’t worked, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is one of the most effective treatments,” Yusuf says. “It can manage a wide range of symptoms, including night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood swings.”
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