‘News Flushes’ was included in issue 108 (Spring 2026) of The Menopause Exchange newsletter.
Menopause Action Plans
Formal “Menopause Action Plans” are expected to become mandatory in the UK from 2027 (under the Employment Rights Act 2025) for companies with 250 or more staff/employees. At present, these action plans are voluntary. But companies need to start thinking about setting the new standard and publishing their plans to be ready for next year. Employers need to listen to their employees who are going through the perimenopause and menopause and discuss their needs. They will then need to think about suitable changes to their workplace and providing information for employees, including line managers. See the first Ask the Experts question on page 7 of this newsletter to see what workplaces should be looking at. Workplaces will need to have an approved budget for their Menopause Action Plan.
New NHS treatment option
Fezolinetant can now be prescribed on the NHS for moderate to severe menopausal hot flushes and night sweats when HRT isn’t suitable. The fezolinetant 45 mg tablet is taken once a day. This non-hormonal treatment works by blocking nerve pathways in the brain that trigger flushes and sweats. HRT is still the first-line treatment for most women, but not everyone can or wants to use it. Fezolinetant can be prescribed if HRT is medically unsuitable, such as in cases of blood clots in the legs or lungs (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism). It may be prescribed for some women with diabetes or heart disease, but isn’t recommended for women with current breast cancer, other oestrogen dependent cancers or liver disease.
Are you experiencing acne?
Researchers at King’s College London are inviting women aged 40 to 50 who are currently experiencing acne to take part in a study looking at how a daily probiotic drink may affect skin health, hormone balance and wellbeing. If you take part, you will:
- drink a small amount of either a probiotic or skimmed milk for eight weeks
- attend three in-person visits at a central London research unit
- provide two blood, stool and skin swab samples
- help improve the understanding of women’s skin health during the perimenopause
If you’re interested in taking part, please email sippi@kcl.ac.uk.
Hormones and neurodiversity
Menopause and ADHD: How to navigate hormone flux and neurodivergence is being published by Vermilion on 14 May 2026. This new book looks at how your hormones may influence your ADHD – and why the menopause can be a particularly challenging time. Written by Dr Helen Wall, a GP and public health leader with advanced training in menopause and neurodivergence, this book covers the mind-body connection, emotional dysregulation, talking to your GP, and the interaction between hormones, HRT and ADHD medicines. The aim is to empower women with ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence to access the menopause support they need.
Created Spring 2026
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