Women are being encouraged to take part in a new survey that seeks to understand how periods and menopause impact their personal lives and careers. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Women’s Health Board has introduced this questionnaire as part of a larger effort to improve healthcare services for women. With the survey open until Monday, 21 October, over 450 responses have been received so far, but the board is calling for more women to share their experiences to ensure a comprehensive view of the challenges they face.

Lena Samuels, the region’s women’s health ambassador, is leading the call for additional participants to ensure a wide range of perspectives are captured. “We are really keen to hear from women and girls about their experience of health care,” Samuels emphasized. “We want to shape services that meet your needs and reflect the realities of what women go through.”

A representative of the health board highlighted the importance of the survey in helping to improve access to crucial information and support for women’s health. “The insights we gather will make it easier for people to find the information and support they need, and will guide us in improving health services overall,” they stated. These insights will play a key role in shaping more effective healthcare services, designed to address the specific needs of women across different life stages.

The survey has also sparked strong interest in further participation, with 109 respondents volunteering for continued involvement in the research. This level of engagement is a positive sign for future healthcare policies, as more women seek to contribute to a lasting improvement in services. The initiative is closely aligned with NHS England’s Women’s Health Strategy, which aims to address healthcare challenges faced by women, particularly in relation to menstrual health and menopause care.

By directly gathering data from women, the health board aims to identify existing gaps in healthcare services and to create more tailored solutions that effectively address these concerns. The survey is a key part of this process, offering women the opportunity to shape the future of healthcare services in the region. Their feedback will help inform decisions that lead to more responsive and supportive systems, ensuring that women’s health challenges—both in their personal lives and professional environments—are properly addressed.

A core focus of the Women’s Health Board is to make resources related to menstruation and menopause more visible and accessible. Many women report difficulties in finding adequate support or information during these stages of life, which can have significant effects on both their well-being and their ability to maintain work-life balance. The survey aims to capture these issues in detail, helping to drive improvements that will address these gaps in care.

As the survey deadline nears, the health board continues to encourage more women to participate, emphasizing the importance of each response. Every contribution helps build a clearer picture of the health needs of women in the region. The data collected will directly inform policy changes, making healthcare services more inclusive, effective, and responsive to women’s real-life experiences.

This effort is part of a broader movement within healthcare to address issues that have historically been overlooked, such as the effects of menstruation and menopause on daily life. By participating in the survey, women have the opportunity to influence significant, long-term changes that will benefit not only their own generation but future generations as well. Their involvement is vital in creating healthcare systems that truly reflect the unique challenges faced by women and provide the support needed to navigate these important phases of life.