Women's reproductive health conditions

Women and Equalities Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 25 Jul 2023 Closed: 2 May 2025 Parliament page
A short inquiry looking at women’s reproductive health and the challenges that women face when they are being diagnosed and treated for these conditions. The inquiry considers any disparities that exist in the diagnosis and treatment, and the impact of women’s experiences on their health and lives. Read the terms … Read more
21 Recommendations
30 Conclusions
1 Report
4 Oral sessions
2 Letters
4 Events
Activity timeline 12 events
5 Mar
2025
Report published
11 Dec
2024
Report published
13 Nov
2024
Oral evidence
13 Nov
2024
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
31 Jan
2024
Correspondence
10 Jan
2024
Correspondence
29 Nov
2023
Oral evidence
29 Nov
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
8 Nov
2023
Oral evidence
8 Nov
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Macmillan Room, Portcullis House
18 Oct
2023
Oral evidence
18 Oct
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
13 Nov 2024
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Women and Equalities Committee
Dr Sue Mann Professor Dame Lesley Regan
29 Nov 2023
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Women's reproductive health; Women and Equalities Committee
Charlotte McArdle · NHS England Dr Judith Richardson · National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Dr Robin Buckle · Medical Research Council Maria Caulfield MP · Department of Health and Social Care Professor Dame Lesley Regan Professor Hilary Critchley FMedSci · Academy of Medical Sciences Professor Lucy Chappell FMedSci · National Institute of Health and Care Research
8 Nov 2023
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Women's reproductive health; Women and Equalities Committee
Dr Anne Connolly MBE · Menstrual Health Coalition Dr Geeta Kumar · Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) Dr Michael Mulholland · Royal College of General Practitioners Janet Lindsay · Wellbeing of Women Professor Sue Carr · General Medical Council (GMC) Rebekah Lloyd · This Independent Life
18 Oct 2023
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Women and Equalities Committee
Naga Munchetty Vicky Pattison
Title HC No. Published Items Response
1st Report - Women's reproductive health conditions HC 337 11 Dec 2024 51 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
28 results
Clear
2 Recommendation Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Revise draft RSHE guidance on menstrual health due to insufficient and late teaching
However, we are concerned that the teaching of the menstrual health element of relationships, sex and health education is insufficient and inconsistent. It is often delivered too late in a child’s development to be of use and by teachers who … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees on the importance of comprehensive menstrual health education, outlining existing RSHE coverage, and states that the Department for Education is currently reviewing the statutory guidance and will consider the recommendations as part of this process, with results published this year.
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3 Recommendation Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Ensure RSHE teachers receive training and deliver comprehensive reproductive health education early
The Government should ensure teachers tasked with delivering the menstrual and gynaecological health element of RSHE receive the training necessary to deliver it effectively. Information on women’s reproductive health conditions should be taught early on in secondary education, preferably around … Read more
Government Response
The government deflects the recommendation regarding teacher training for RSHE and curriculum content, instead focusing on the provision of general women's health information via the NHS website and the development of women's health hubs.
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4 Conclusion Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Guidance fails to recognise importance of boys and men understanding reproductive health conditions
The guidance fails to recognise the importance of boys and men understanding reproductive health conditions that their peers might experience and their role in changing the culture and stigma that girls face. (Paragraph 26) 72 Publicly available information Read more
Government Response
The government's response focuses on the NHS's digital and social media initiatives to provide information to women and girls on reproductive health, and a competition for women's health innovations, rather than addressing the recommendation about teaching boys and men about female reproductive health conditions.
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5 Conclusion Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Specify in statutory guidance that boys must be taught female reproductive health conditions
The statutory guidance should specify that boys should be taught about female reproductive health conditions.
Government Response
The government's response deflects the recommendation to specify teaching boys about female reproductive health in statutory guidance by discussing NHS England's plans for elective care reform, addressing racial biases in healthcare, and professional training for healthcare professionals.
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7 Conclusion Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Enhance NHS website and app to be comprehensive, accessible, inclusive, and highly-visible
We know that many women and girls are using online spaces to get information and seek help while there are gaps in support in medical fields. It is therefore imperative that the NHS and trusted sources become a first-port-of-call to … Read more
Government Response
The government focused on the inclusivity aspect, noting RCOG is developing a guideline for trans and gender-diverse adults by 2026, which NHS England encourages but will not actively implement. It mentioned NHS England's existing LGBT+ health programme but did not address the broader recommendation for the NHS website/app to be comprehensive, accessible, and highly-visible.
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9 Conclusion Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Increase NHS digital and social media presence for reproductive health conditions consistently
With women and girls relying on online spaces and a proliferation of femtech apps to fill gaps in their knowledge of reproductive health conditions, the NHS should increase its own digital and social media presence in relation to reproductive health … Read more
Government Response
The government did not address the recommendation to increase the NHS's digital and social media presence for reproductive health. Instead, it acknowledged poor experiences with procedural pain and committed to NHS England holding a roundtable in spring 2025 to discuss issues, review training, and identify system changes for pain recognition and management.
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12 Conclusion Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Establish improved diagnosis times as a key performance indicator for Women's Health Strategy.
Improvements in diagnosis times should be made a key performance indicator for the Women’s Health Strategy for England.
Government Response
The government did not address the recommendation to make improvements in diagnosis times a key performance indicator for the Women’s Health Strategy. Instead, it focused on improving mental healthcare provision for women, committing to recruiting an additional 8,500 mental health workers and detailing existing mental health services.
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13 Conclusion Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Implement RCOG inclusive care guidelines throughout healthcare, ensuring practitioner training and monitoring by RCOG.
We support the Royal College for Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ initiative for a guideline on inclusive care. When finalised it should be implemented throughout the healthcare system and medical practitioners must receive adequate training, with implementation monitored by the RCOG. Read more
Government Response
The government did not address the recommendation regarding the implementation, training, and monitoring of the RCOG guideline on inclusive care. Instead, it focused on the role of women's health hubs in local communities and their potential to commission mental health provision or offer referral pathways.
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14 Conclusion Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Healthcare practitioners insufficiently understand reproductive health treatment options and their impact on patients.
Healthcare practitioners lack sufficient understanding of the range and suitability of treatment options available to treat reproductive health conditions. Too often conditions are viewed through the prism of fertility which, while a necessary consideration, should not be the only factor … Read more
Government Response
The government did not address the core recommendation about practitioners' lack of understanding, empathy, and narrow focus on fertility. It instead acknowledged the negative impact of mixed waiting areas and committed that NHS England will publish the findings of the NHS maternity and neonatal estates survey in early 2025.
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15 Conclusion Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Mandate NHS practitioners to stay updated and address regional disparities in reproductive health treatments.
The NHS must take steps to ensure healthcare practitioners keep up to date with the full range of diagnostic and treatment options available for reproductive health conditions. Those options, as well as waiting times and potential outcomes of surgical procedures … Read more
Government Response
The government did not address the recommendation for healthcare practitioners to keep up to date on treatment options, communicate these to patients, or address regional disparities. Instead, it focused on the problematic use of the term 'benign gynaecology', committing that NHS England is working with lived experience individuals and will review internal information using this term.
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16 Conclusion Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
NHS fails patients during routine reproductive procedures, neglecting duty of care and pain management.
The NHS is failing many patients who undergo routine reproductive healthcare procedures such as hysteroscopy, IUD fitting and cervical screening. In too many cases, we find that a duty of care from gynaecologists and other medical practitioners is absent. Women … Read more
Government Response
The government did not directly address the concerns about absent duty of care, patients enduring severe pain, or being ignored/belittled during procedures. Instead, it focused on its commitment to cutting waiting lists and reforming elective care through NHS England's plan to meet the 18-week referral-to-treatment standard by March 2029, and highlighted existing programmes like Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT).
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18 Recommendation Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Collect NHS data on adherence to guidelines for painful gynaecological procedures and patient experience.
Concerns about painful procedures have been raised for years with little sign of progress. We recommend the NHS collects data on whether guidelines for hysteroscopy, IUD fittings and other potentially painful gynaecological procedures are being adhered to. That data must … Read more
Government Response
The government's response did not address the recommendation about collecting data on adherence to guidelines for painful gynaecological procedures. Instead, it discussed the affordability of period products and prescription charges.
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19 Conclusion Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Establish reducing pain in invasive procedures as a key performance indicator for Women's Health Strategy.
Reducing the pain women experience during invasive procedures should be made a key performance indicator for the Women’s Health Strategy for England. (Paragraph 82) 75 Effect on mental health
Government Response
The government's response did not address the recommendation about making pain reduction in invasive procedures a key performance indicator for the Women's Health Strategy. Instead, it discussed mandating gender equality action plans for large employers.
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21 Conclusion Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Commission women's health hubs to include mental health support in core specification in underserved areas
Women’s health hubs situated in areas where access to appropriate mental health services is lacking should be commissioned to include mental health support as part of their core specification.
Government Response
The government's response focuses on the importance of training for primary care professionals in women's reproductive health and existing resources. It states NHS England is assessing workforce training gaps and scoping future clinical training needs but does not commit to commissioning mental health support as part of women's health hubs.
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22 Conclusion Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Implement policies ensuring separate spaces for reproductive health and obstetrics patients during investigations/treatment
NHS England should implement policies to ensure there are separate spaces for patients undergoing investigations or treatment for reproductive health conditions and obstetrics patients. (Paragraph 91) Waiting lists
Government Response
The government's response did not address the recommendation for separate spaces for reproductive health and obstetrics patients. Instead, it discussed the diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), including the potential role of AMH blood tests and NICE's planned clinical guideline on PCOS.
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23 Conclusion Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Benign gynaecology' terminology downplays reproductive health conditions, risking treatment de-prioritisation
The use of terminology such as ‘benign gynaecology’ downplays the impact of reproductive health conditions and risks de-prioritising them for treatment that could significantly improve patients’ health and lives.
Government Response
The government's response did not address the recommendation to cease using terminology like 'benign gynaecology.' Instead, it focused on primary care professionals' training and appraisal processes, and how patient satisfaction is captured through the GP Patient Survey.
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25 Conclusion Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Prioritise longest elective surgery waiting lists and provide financial support for women's travel
Measures to reduce waiting lists for elective surgery should prioritise areas where waiting lists are longest and disparities greatest. The NHS should provide financial support to women to allow them to travel further to access care earlier.
Government Response
The government's response did not address the recommendation to prioritise waiting list reduction or provide financial support for women to travel for earlier care. Instead, it focused on the training and curricula of medical professionals, noting that women's health is included in GMC, RCGP, and RCOG training standards.
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27 Conclusion Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Existing period and incontinence product schemes are inadequate, financially disadvantaging women and girls
More than half of the population will experience menstruation yet women and girls are financially disadvantaged by having to pay for essential products without which they cannot leave their homes, work or attend education. This is an unfair burden, not … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focused on the work of NICE in developing clinical guidelines for reproductive health conditions and its process for prioritising new guidance topics. It did not address the recommendation for reviewing period and incontinence product schemes or considering free provision of products.
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28 Recommendation Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Review period/incontinence schemes and provide free products for vulnerable groups, including via prescription
The Government should review existing period and incontinence product schemes alongside the burden of need. We recommend the Government considers the merits of legislating for free provision for particular groups such as children, students, people seeking asylum and those in … Read more
Government Response
The government response outlined its commitment to a neighbourhood health service and the development of women's health hubs, noting 80 of 88 planned hubs are operational. It did not address the recommendation to review period and incontinence product schemes or consider free provision and prescriptions.
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29 Conclusion Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Incentivise workplaces to adopt strategies supporting women with reproductive ill health, including flexible working
Workplaces must be incentivised by the Government to have strategies in place to support women experiencing reproductive ill health. The availability of flexible working patterns, a workplace that provides easy access to period products, and time off to attend appointments … Read more
Government Response
The government response detailed efforts to tailor women's health hubs to local populations and outlined NHS England's development of an equity framework to reduce inequalities, focusing on menopause and heavy menstrual bleeding. It did not address workplace incentives, support strategies for reproductive ill health, or the Employment Rights Bill.
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30 Conclusion Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Amend Employment Rights Bill Clause 26 to define reproductive health support as advancing gender equality.
Clause 26 of the Employment Rights Bill should be amended to make clear that supporting women with reproductive health conditions falls under the definition of advancing gender equality. (Paragraph 111) 77 Violence against women and girls
Government Response
The government response highlighted the role of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) in women's reproductive health and stated it will consider LARC fee structures and work to understand training issues. It did not address the recommendation to amend Clause 26 of the Employment Rights Bill.
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32 Recommendation Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Set out plans to improve primary care practitioners' training in women’s reproductive health conditions.
The Department of Health and Social Care should set out plans to improve the accessibility and take up of professional development in women’s reproductive health conditions among practitioners in primary care. Those plans should include allocating increased funding for training … Read more
Government Response
The government detailed its commitment to funding research into women’s reproductive health conditions through NIHR and UKRI, highlighting initiatives to increase investment and support academic training in this field. It did not outline plans for improving professional development or funding for primary care practitioners' training.
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34 Conclusion Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
GPs struggle to diagnose complex reproductive health conditions due to systemic pressures.
GPs face difficulties diagnosing complicated reproductive healthcare conditions which may present with a variety of symptoms. They face workplace pressures, have short consultation times, and can struggle to access training and guidance. While it is positive to see that medical … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledged the importance of early intervention and referred to NHS England’s plan to reform elective care and meet the 18-week referral-to-treatment standard by March 2029, which aims for earlier diagnoses and treatment. It did not commit to further work on specific professional standards for GPs.
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38 Recommendation Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Improve undergraduate women's health teaching and incentivise specialisation in reproductive healthcare.
The Government should work with the RCOG, RCGP and the GMC to improve the teaching of women’s health at undergraduate level and ensure it is an integral part of medical education for all those seeking a career in healthcare. As … Read more
Government Response
The government states the GMC, an independent body, is responsible for setting medical standards and curricula, noting that the GMC's new MLA includes women's health topics. It clarifies that obstetrics and gynaecology is already a mandatory undergraduate rotation, and does not address the recommendation to consider new incentives.
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43 Recommendation Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Allocate long-term, ring-fenced funding and resources to embed and develop the women's health hub model.
We find that women’s health hubs have proven the concept that they can deliver improvements to women’s healthcare. The Government must now allocate long-term, ring-fenced funding and resource to embed the hub model and further support its development. That development … Read more
Government Response
The government expresses commitment to local health services and acknowledges the positive impact of women's health hubs. However, it states that Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning and funding these services, and the core specification encourages ICBs to consider providing ultrasound facilities.
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48 Recommendation Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Update Women's Health Strategy to prioritise specific conditions and reduce endometriosis diagnosis waiting times.
The Women’s Health Strategy for England should be updated to include priorities for specific, common conditions. We recommend the Government commits to reducing waiting times for an endometriosis diagnosis to less than two years by the end of this Parliament … Read more
Government Response
The government recognises the impact of long wait times for gynaecological conditions and states it is working on taking forward the Women's Health Strategy, considering the committee's recommendations on specific areas of focus. It also refers to previous responses on measuring improvements in diagnosis times.
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50 Recommendation Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Publish an implementation plan for the Women’s Health Strategy detailing timelines, costs, and resources.
The Government should publish an implementation plan for the Women’s Health Strategy for England detailing timelines, costs and resource. (Paragraph 184) Funding
Government Response
The government is working with NHS England and the Women’s Health Ambassador on how to take forward the Women's Health Strategy and will consider the committee's recommendations for inclusion and indicators as this work progresses.
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51 Recommendation Deferred
1st Report - Women's reproductive …
Provide additional funding for early diagnosis and treatment of women’s reproductive health conditions.
We call on the Government to recognise the financial benefits of increased investment in early diagnosis and treatment of women’s reproductive health conditions and provide the additional funding necessary to truly transform the support available to the millions of women … Read more
Government Response
The government recognises the importance of early intervention and refers to an existing NHS plan to reform elective care and meet treatment standards by March 2029 for earlier diagnoses. Information on future funding allocations will be announced later.
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Government Response AI assessment · 51 of 21 classified
Accepted 11
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 6
Deferred 28
Not Addressed 2
Rejected 3
Total 21 recs + 30 conclusions
Correspondence 2 letters
31 Jan 2024 Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care, relating to Women's reproductive health, dated 24 Jan 2024
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10 Jan 2024 Correspondence from Deputy Chief Nursing Officer, NHS England, relating to Women's reproductive health, dated 13 December 2023
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