DHSC: Landmark survey seeks women’s views on reproductive health (7 September 2023)

Summary

Women across England are being encouraged to help shape future reproductive health policy by sharing their experiences of a range of issues, as the government launches a new landmark survey.

Delivering on a key commitment in the Women’s Health Strategy, the Women’s Reproductive Health Survey will seek women’s views across England on issues including periods, contraception, fertility, pregnancy and the menopause.

Findings from the survey will then be used to better understand women’s reproductive health experiences over time. The vital information gathered about the lives and experiences of women will inform current and future government decision-making and health policy.

There are currently disparities in women’s health across the country, and far too many cases where women’s voices are not being heard. Along with the strategy, the new survey will play a key part in changing this.

Content

The survey is open to all women in England aged 16-55 years and will run for six weeks from Thursday 7 September 2023.

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

Questions women are being asked to answer include:

• how much pain they experience during their periods;
• how they prefer to access contraceptive services; and
• how satisfied they were with any support they received for menopausal symptoms.