43 Accepted

A substantial increase in research into menstrual health conditions is long overdue and would represent...

Recommendation
A substantial increase in research into menstrual health conditions is long overdue and would represent a huge stride forwards in recognising the impacts these conditions have on the lives of women and girls. However, as this inquiry has shown, better diagnostic tools and treatments coming on stream will not solve all of the problems in delays to care. Wider barriers to diagnosis and treatment, particularly those faced by disabled, Deaf and racialised women, must also be tackled. (Recommendation, Paragraph 165) 78
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, acknowledging the urgent need for increased research into menstrual health conditions and existing investments of over £50 million. The refreshed Women’s Health Strategy will set ambitious targets, address wider barriers to diagnosis and treatment for specific groups, and focus on improving healthcare access and education.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government Accepted
The Government accepts recommendations 42 and 43. The government recognises the urgent need for increased research into menstrual health conditions, including their root causes, improved diagnosis and treatment, and the specific needs of adolescent girls. This is a key priority of the Women’s Health Strategy, which commits to improving research and evidence on women’s health conditions, including menstrual health. Since the publication of the Women’s Health Strategy, the government has: * Invested over £50 million in women’s health research since 2022, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), covering a wide range of women’s health priorities, including menstrual health conditions, fertility, and maternal health. * Established a Women’s Health Research Council to provide strategic leadership and coordination for women’s health research across the UK. * Launched a new NIHR-funded Women’s Health Research Network to foster collaboration and accelerate research in priority areas. The refreshed Women’s Health Strategy will set out ambitious targets and actions to incentivise funders, industry, and clinical academia to prioritise menstrual health research. This will include exploring the potential merits of dedicated research focused on adolescent girls and ringfenced funding for specific research areas. The government also acknowledges that better diagnostic tools and treatments alone will not solve all the problems in delays to care. The refreshed Women’s Health Strategy will therefore address wider barriers to diagnosis and treatment, particularly those faced by disabled, deaf, and racialised women, by focusing on improving healthcare access, education, and addressing health inequalities.
Addressee Bodies
Government Equalities Office
Timeline
Recommendation age 0.4 yrs
Report published 04 Mar 2026