19 Accepted

Dismissal of women’s period problems and the normalisation of period-related pain in primary care is...

Conclusion
Dismissal of women’s period problems and the normalisation of period-related pain in primary care is now recognised as a concern by the healthcare sector. However, there is little evidence of systemic improvement. Young women and girls are still reporting their concerns being ignored, being told they are too young get a menstrual health condition such as endometriosis and being prescribed hormonal medication to manage pain without discussion or investigation of underlying causes. We recognise the efforts of the Royal College of General Practitioners and others to improve training for GPs on menstrual health and provide better, more empathetic care for girls and women, but they are severely hampered 72 by pressures in the system. Many GPs simply do not have the time to take up “specialist” training in women’s health or the time in appointments to make a satisfactory judgement on the symptoms presented. However, the concerns raised above are not complicated to communicate across primary care. (Conclusion, Paragraph 98)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the concerns regarding the dismissal of women's period problems in primary care and commits to systemic improvement. It will ensure the refreshed Women's Health Strategy annual report includes an objective with clear actions, and DHSC/NHSE will develop a comprehensive training programme for primary care practitioners, including exploring funding mechanisms for dedicated training time.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government Accepted
The Government acknowledges the Committee’s concerns regarding the dismissal of women’s period problems and the normalisation of period-related pain in primary care. The Government agrees that there is a need for systemic improvement in this area and is committed to ensuring that girls and women receive appropriate and timely care for their menstrual health conditions. This is why the Women’s Health Strategy for England committed to improving education and training for healthcare professionals, including primary care practitioners, on women’s health conditions. The Government agrees that the refreshed Women’s Health Strategy annual report must include an objective accompanied by clear actions to improve the level of awareness among all primary care practitioners of menstrual health conditions, including that symptoms can begin at puberty. DHSC and NHSE will work together to develop a comprehensive training programme for primary care practitioners, which will cover a range of menstrual health conditions, their symptoms, diagnosis, and management. This programme will be developed in collaboration with expert stakeholders, including the Royal Colleges and patient advocacy groups, to ensure that it is evidence-based and addresses the specific needs of girls and women. The Government acknowledges that targeted funding and ring-fenced time for GP training will be required to deliver this programme effectively. DHSC and NHSE will explore funding mechanisms and work with Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to ensure that primary care practitioners have the necessary time and resources to undertake this training. The refreshed Women’s Health Strategy annual report will include a clear plan and timeline for implementation of these actions.
Addressee Bodies
Government Equalities Office
Timeline
Recommendation age 0.4 yrs
Report published 04 Mar 2026