Government launches ‘landmark’ survey on women’s reproductive health

The government has launched a ‘landmark’ survey on women’s reproductive health in a bid to better understand what support is needed and how issues in accessing care and support can be best addressed.

All women in England aged 16 to 55 years are encouraged to take part in the Women’s Reproductive Health Survey, which asks questions about menstrual health, contraception, pregnancy planning and menopause.

Survey answers will be used to inform government policy

The findings from the survey will be used to better understand women’s reproductive health experiences over time and inform future government decision-making and health policy.

Women’s Health Ambassador Professor Dame Lesley Regan says the survey will ensure that services work for the women who need them.

“We need to make healthcare work for women and girls – and for it to fit around their lives. There’s no point bolstering services if they cannot be accessed, or the support available does not work for them and meet their needs.

“We need your voice to shape a new system of healthcare that gives women what they need,” she said.

Addressing disparities in healthcare

The survey builds on the commitments set out in the Women’s Health Strategy, which sets out to address the disparities in women’s healthcare across the country.

Minister for Women’s Health Strategy Maria Caulfield says the survey will give women a voice and a platform to voice their experiences and concerns.

“Women should always have a say in their own healthcare, whether that’s in managing pregnancy and fertility or dealing with the challenges of the menopause in the workplace.

“I would encourage every woman to complete the survey on reproductive health as soon as they’re able and ensure their voice is heard,” she said.

Enabling women to access better care

So far, the Women’s Health Strategy has enabled over 300,000 more women to access cheaper HRT, and new women’s health hubs are opening up across the country in every integrated care board.

Further measures are still yet to be introduced, such as:

• a new artificial intelligence tool to identify early risks in maternity units
• £25 million will be distributed across England so every area can create a women’s health hub
• a new IVF tool on GOV.UK so people can look up information about NHS-funded IVF treatments
• a new network of women’s health champions led by the Women’s Health Ambassador for England, Professor Dame Lesley Regan.

Survey open for six weeks

The survey is being delivered by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care.

It is open now and will run for 6 weeks until Thursday 19^th October 2023.