Menopause: Health Services
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the capacity is of NHS specialist menopause services; and what average waiting times are for women accessing these services.
Answered by Karin Smyth
The Department does not centrally hold data on the number of patients in England awaiting specialist menopause services, although we do hold data on the broader gynaecology specialism, of which menopause services are a part. As of the end of January 2026, the median average waiting time for specialist gynaecology services is 15.3 weeks, with 56.9% of patient pathways waiting less than 18 weeks, up 1.8% from January 2025.
The Department does not hold detailed information on the capacity of National Health Service specialist menopause services.
The Government acknowledges that women suffering from symptoms of menopause have been failed for far too long, and we acknowledge the impact it has on women’s lives, relationships, and participation in the workplace. Menopause and menstrual problems will be among the priorities for the NHS’s new online hospital when it launches next year, providing faster access to specialist care.
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