In our last blog, we talked about why speaking openly about menopause matters and how conversations can help create change. This time, we’re sharing some good news.

Here are three changes from 2026 that are worth knowing about and, more importantly, what they could mean for you.

1. Menopause is being added to NHS Health Checks

Menopause is being brought into routine NHS Health Checks in England for the first time.

The NHS Health Check is a free appointment offered every five years to adults aged 40–74. The new approach will include questions about menopause, helping women talk about symptoms and find out more about the support and treatment available. Nearly 5 million women could benefit from the change.

What does this mean for you?

If you’re invited for an NHS Health Check, you may now be asked about menopause as part of the conversation. It could be a useful opportunity to mention symptoms you’ve been experiencing, ask questions or find out where to get further support.

It isn’t a full menopause assessment, so if your symptoms are affecting your everyday life, you may still need to make a separate appointment with your GP or another healthcare professional. But bringing menopause into a routine health check is an important step. It means menopause is becoming part of the conversation around women’s health, rather than something you have to raise completely on your own.

One of our tips: keep a simple record of your symptoms. This could be in a notebook or on your phone. Note down things like hot flushes, sleep problems, mood changes, brain fog or changes to your periods, along with how often they happen and how they’re affecting you.

2. More workplaces will have to think about menopause

Menopause doesn’t stop when you get to work. Symptoms such as poor sleep, brain fog, anxiety, fatigue or hot flushes can affect how you feel during the working day.

New government guidance is encouraging larger employers to publish action plans setting out how they will support their employees, including those experiencing perimenopause and post-menopause. For employers with 250 or more employees, these plans are currently voluntary, with mandatory publication expected from spring 2027, subject to legislation.

What does this mean for you?

Your employer may be thinking more seriously about menopause support. That could mean better information, menopause awareness training, workplace adjustments, support groups or occupational health advice.

If you’re struggling at work, you don’t necessarily have to just put up with it. It may be worth finding out what support your workplace offers and talking to your manager or HR team about reasonable adjustments. Menopause is a normal part of life – and you shouldn’t have to feel embarrassed about asking for support.

3. There’s now another non-hormonal option for hot flushes

If you’ve been struggling with hot flushes or night sweats, you may have heard about fezolinetant (Veoza). In March 2026, NICE recommended fezolinetant as an option for moderate to severe hot flushes and night sweats when HRT isn’t suitable. It is a non-hormonal treatment, so it gives some women another option to discuss with their healthcare professional.

What does this mean for you?

HRT remains the usual first treatment when it is suitable, but it isn’t right for everyone. Fezolinetant could provide another option if HRT isn’t suitable for you. It works differently from HRT by targeting the brain pathways involved in regulating body temperature.

There are some important things to know. You’ll need liver blood tests before starting treatment and during treatment, and it isn’t suitable for everyone.

So, if hot flushes or night sweats are having a big impact on your sleep, work, exercise or everyday life, speak to your GP or another qualified healthcare professional about your options.

4. More support for people with migraine

There is also good news for people living with migraine. From autumn 2026, migraine is being added to the NHS Pharmacy First programme in England, giving people another place to seek advice and treatment without always needing to see their GP first.

This could be particularly helpful for women experiencing migraine around perimenopause and menopause, when hormonal changes can affect symptoms.

What does this mean for you?

If you experience migraine, you may soon have another way to get support closer to home. Participating pharmacies will be able to offer advice and, where appropriate, treatment for migraine.

If your migraines are new, changing or affecting your everyday life, speak to your GP or another healthcare professional. (TheyWorkForYou)

So, what’s the good news?

None of these changes means that everything around menopause has suddenly been fixed. There is still plenty of work to do.

But these are important steps.

Menopause is being talked about more openly in healthcare. Workplaces are being encouraged to take it more seriously. And women who can’t take HRT have another treatment option to discuss.Most importantly, you don’t have to navigate menopause without information or support.

If you’ve been putting off asking questions, this could be the year to start. Know your options. Ask questions. And don’t be afraid to speak up.

Sources:

“3 Committee Discussion | Fezolinetant for Treating Moderate to Severe Vasomotor Symptoms Associated With Menopause | Guidance | NICE.” Nice.Org.Uk, NICE, 31 Mar. 2026, www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta1143/chapter/3-Committee-discussion. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

CIPD. “CIPD | Build Your Impact and Career in the People Profession.” CIPD, 2023, www.cipd.org/uk/. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

Equality and Human Rights Commission. “Menopause in the Workplace: Guidance for Employers | EHRC.” Www.Equalityhumanrights.Com, 22 Feb. 2024, www.equalityhumanrights.com/guidance/menopause-workplace-guidance-employers. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

—. “Menopause in the Workplace: Guidance for Employers | EHRC.” Www.Equalityhumanrights.Com, 22 Feb. 2024, www.equalityhumanrights.com/guidance/menopause-workplace-guidance-employers. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

Gregory, Andrew. “Drug That Prevents Hot Flushes to Be Available on NHS in England.” The Guardian, The Guardian, 11 Mar. 2026, www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/11/drug-that-prevents-hot-flushes-to-be-available-on-nhs-in-england. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

—. “Drug That Prevents Hot Flushes to Be Available on NHS in England.” The Guardian, The Guardian, 11 Mar. 2026, www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/11/drug-that-prevents-hot-flushes-to-be-available-on-nhs-in-england. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

Health. “Major NHS Update Brings Menopause Into Routine Health Checks.” GOV.UK, 22 Oct. 2025, www.gov.uk/government/news/major-nhs-update-brings-menopause-into-routine-health-checks. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

NHS website. “Menopause and Perimenopause Help and Support.” Nhs.Uk, May 2026, www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause-and-perimenopause/help-and-support/. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.