Scotland's New Women's Health Plan Puts Spotlight on Periods, Menopause, and Aging—Here's What's Changing

Scotland is launching Phase Two of its Women's Health Plan (2026-2029), a comprehensive strategy designed to reduce health inequalities for women and girls across the country. The plan addresses critical gaps in women's health services, from supporting girls navigating their first periods to helping older women manage menopause and bone health. With gynecology waiting lists in Scotland having grown by 193% since the pandemic began in February 2020, this initiative comes at a crucial time.

Why Are Scotland's Women Asking for Better Period and Menstrual Health Education?

During focus groups that engaged girls as young as 12 and women up to their 90s, young women consistently requested more support and education about their menstrual health. In response, Scotland's new plan includes a specific action to review, update, and promote women's health content on RSHP.scot—a resource designed to help girls and young women understand their bodies and know where to access help and support. The plan will also develop new, detailed educational resources focused specifically on menstrual health and periods.

This educational push addresses a real need: the average age at which a woman has her first period is 12 years old, yet many young women report feeling unprepared and lacking reliable information about what to expect.

What Health Challenges Do Women Face Across Their Lifespans?

Women experience distinct health needs at different life stages that differ significantly from men's health patterns. The new plan recognizes these differences and aims to provide targeted support throughout a woman's entire life course. Key health priorities include:

• Menstrual Health: Supporting girls and young women in understanding their periods and accessing reliable information about menstrual health from age 12 onward.
• Reproductive Planning: Helping women choose contraception, access abortion services, and plan for pregnancy when desired.
• Pelvic Floor Health: Managing pelvic floor function, which affects continence, sexual health, and quality of life across all ages.
• Menopause Management: Supporting women through menopause, which occurs at an average age of 51, with approximately 359,313 women in Scotland currently between ages 45 to 54 (menopausal age).
• Chronic Condition Management: Addressing conditions like heart disease, osteoporosis, and dementia, which women are more likely to experience than men.

Women in Scotland face a disproportionate burden of certain health conditions. Alzheimer's disease and dementia are the leading causes of death in women, while breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis. Additionally, women are more likely to live with chronic pain compared with men, and almost two-thirds of adult women are overweight or obese.

How Is Scotland Addressing the Crisis in Gynecology Services?

The 193% increase in gynecology waiting lists since February 2020 reflects a serious access problem, particularly for women with conditions like endometriosis. Approximately 10% of women and girls of reproductive age worldwide are affected by endometriosis, making it a significant global public health concern. The economic impact is staggering: a 2024 report by the NHS Confederation found that absenteeism due to gynecological conditions costs the economy nearly £11 billion annually. The report also found that for every £1 invested in obstetrics and gynecology services per woman, there is an estimated return on investment of £11.31.

Scotland's new plan includes actions to transform gynecology services and maximize the use of women's health "touchpoints"—such as smear tests—to promote preventative care and holistic health support. This approach aims to not only address immediate gynecological concerns but also help women optimize their overall health for the future.

Why Are Older Women and Disabled Women Getting Special Attention?

Phase Two of the plan places greater emphasis on the needs of older women, recognizing that women live longer than men but often spend more years in poor health. Women's life expectancy in Scotland is 80.8 years compared to 76.8 years for men, yet women experience a higher burden of age-related conditions. The plan specifically addresses brain health, bone health, and pelvic floor health for older women.

Bone health is particularly urgent: the number of people aged 50 and older who suffer hip fractures has increased by just over 25% between 2017 and 2023, with more than twice as many women admitted to hospitals for hip fractures than men. In 2023, the Scottish Hip Fracture Audit found that socioeconomically deprived patients suffer hip fractures 5.6 years earlier than the least deprived patients, which may impact overall life expectancy.

The plan also recognizes significant gaps in support for disabled women. Disabled women in the United Kingdom make up 20% of women of reproductive age, yet there is limited data available regarding their experiences in Scotland. Women with learning disabilities face particularly stark health disparities: on average, their life expectancy is 23 years shorter than for women in the general population. The plan commits to considering the specific needs of disabled women during implementation, particularly regarding access to cervical screening and gynecology service transformation.

How Will the Plan Support Women in the Workforce and Beyond?

Over one-third (33.38%) of Scotland's female workforce is over 50 years old, making it essential for employers to support women managing menopause and other age-related health changes while remaining in the workforce. The plan recognizes that women disproportionately shoulder caring responsibilities: in 2023-24, 73% of all carers were female, and 80% of working-age carers were women. Women typically begin caregiving responsibilities at age 45—12 years earlier than men.

By improving access to women's health services and providing better education and support, Scotland aims to help women maintain their health and wellbeing while balancing work, caregiving, and personal health needs. The plan's focus on preventative care and holistic health support reflects a recognition that investing in women's health yields significant returns—both for individual women and for society as a whole.