Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of including a question on heavy menstrual bleeding in the routine set of checks and questions that accompany a gynaecological procedure or consultation in a primary care setting.

No specific assessment has been made. Menstrual health and gynaecological conditions is a priority within the Women’s Health Strategy for England. This sets out our ambitions for raising awareness of menstrual health problems among women and healthcare professionals and tackling taboos and stigmas that can prevent women from accessing care. In addition, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guideline on heavy menstrual bleeding contains recommendations for healthcare professionals on the diagnosis and management of heavy menstrual bleeding.