What is The Renewed Women's Health Strategy for England?

In April, the Government published its renewed Women's Health Strategy for England and whilst it's a step in the right direction, it's also a reminder of just how far we still have to go.

The women’s health strategy, which was first introduced in 2022, has been refreshed to put women's voices, choice, and experience at the heart of healthcare. On the surface, that sounds promising. But the fact that it needs to say that in 2026, tells its own story.

Three women, smiling with a text overlay which says Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, acknowledged that the system has been failing women. Whether that's being passed from appointment to appointment for conditions like endometriosis and fibroids, a lack of proper pain relief during invasive procedures, or having to fight for years before receiving a diagnosis.

This isn't new information to most of us. Many of you will have lived it.

It's also worth noting that the first Men's Health Strategy was published at the end of 2025.

Both strategies are needed and both do matter, I do not want to make this a competition. But when women have been raising concerns about being dismissed, misdiagnosed, and undertreated for decades, and the response is still largely framed around aiming to do better. I am struggling to not feel frustrated and disappointed.

There are positives though, the renewed women’s health strategy for England commits to:

• Faster diagnosis and treatment for conditions like endometriosis and fibroids

• Women's feedback being directly linked to service improvements

• A single referral point so women are directed to the right professional first time

• A £1 million menstrual health education programme

• Women's health hubs embedded in local communities

These are meaningful steps and they matter for every woman navigating perimenopause, menopause, and beyond.

But strategies only work if they're implemented. And implementation only happens when women keep talking, keep advocating, and keep refusing to be dismissed.

That's exactly why I do what I do.

If you're tired of not being heard and want support navigating your hormonal health, I'd love to help. Get in touch to find out more about how I can support you to advocate for yourself, understand your hormonal health and more.