12th Report – Menstrual health of girls and young women
Select Committee
Women and Equalities Committee
HC 1265
4 March 2026
Government response
Government Response to the Women and Equalities Committee's 12th Report of Session 2024-2026 Menstrual health of girls and young women CP 1577 · published 26 May 2026
Recommendations & Conclusions
6 results
1
Conclusion
Acknowledged
We welcome the changes to the statutory guidance on relationships and sex education and health...
Conclusion
We welcome the changes to the statutory guidance on relationships and sex education and health education (RSHE). They are the crucial first step towards ensuring all girls have an adequate understanding of their menstrual cycle and know when and how …
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Government Response Summary
The government welcomes the committee's comments on RSHE guidance, highlighting past training funding and a recently announced £2m for 2024/25 RSHE teacher training (focused on online harms/mental health, with menstrual health also considered). It states DfE will work with DHSC and stakeholders on training and resources, and notes the RSHE guidance is currently under review.
Government Equalities Office
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8
Conclusion
Acknowledged
School nurses can play a crucial role in helping girls recognise menstrual problems and provide...
Conclusion
School nurses can play a crucial role in helping girls recognise menstrual problems and provide a necessary, early pathway to appropriate care. However, the school nurse system has seen a substantial overall reduction in funding over many years and is …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the crucial role of school nurses and their under-resourcing, stating that the refreshed Women’s Health Strategy will aim to improve provision, and NHS England has committed to increasing school nurse numbers by 2030 as part of the Long Term Workforce Plan.
Government Equalities Office
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13
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Countering women’s health misinformation through increased official and accurate social media content is vital and...
Recommendation
Countering women’s health misinformation through increased official and accurate social media content is vital and should be a key part of the renewed Women’s Health Strategy. The renewed Strategy must include a clear plan with measurable actions and targets to …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees social media is vital for health information and states DHSC is developing a social media content plan to promote the Women’s Health Strategy, with updates in the annual report. It also references the Online Safety Act and ongoing engagement with platforms to address online information suppression.
Government Equalities Office
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15
Conclusion
Acknowledged
The suppression of vital online information about women’s health is a pressing issue, which requires...
Conclusion
The suppression of vital online information about women’s health is a pressing issue, which requires immediate action. The assurances provided to us by the Minister were inadequate. We do not share the Government’s confidence that the Online Safety Act 2023’s …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees on the vital role of social media in health information and is developing a social media content plan for the Women's Health Strategy. It maintains confidence in the Online Safety Act and Ofcom's future role in monitoring platform compliance, while also noting the NHS already has a robust process for third-party content.
Government Equalities Office
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16
Recommendation
Acknowledged
The Government must hold social media platforms to account for inappropriate censorship of important women’s...
Recommendation
The Government must hold social media platforms to account for inappropriate censorship of important women’s health content. “Shadow banning” is unacceptable and must cease. Social media companies must 71 recognise the significant role they play in girls’ and women’s access …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees social media is vital for health information and mentions developing a social media content plan for the Women’s Health Strategy. It references the Online Safety Act and Ofcom’s role in monitoring platform compliance with duties regarding harmful content, and states it continues to engage with platforms to understand online information suppression.
Government Equalities Office
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17
Conclusion
Acknowledged
FemTech apps such as period trackers have the potential to transform girls’ and women’s understanding...
Conclusion
FemTech apps such as period trackers have the potential to transform girls’ and women’s understanding of, and ability to advocate for, their menstrual health and wellbeing. The 2022 Women’s Health Strategy, however, was not sufficiently alert to the risks. These …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the potential and risks of FemTech apps, stating it has commissioned NICE to develop evidence standards and MHRA to create a new regulatory framework. It commits to exploring increased resourcing for the NHS Innovation team and including digital health priorities in the Women's Health Strategy annual report.
Government Equalities Office
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