Improving NHS perimenopausal diagnosis and HRT prescription through AI, machine learning and big data

On the 12th October the UK GOV the all-party parliamentary group on menopause (APPG) said that more needs to be done urgently to help women, including earlier screening , introducing fresh training on symptoms for health workers, and improving access to treatment.

"Millions of women across the UK should be invited for an NHS health check at the age of 45 to discuss the menopause and HRT prescriptions should be free, MPs have said.

"We are beginning to feel the tide of change but the taboo around the menopause still prevails in all corners of society -- in workplaces, within families and among friends, in education, and in the medical profession," said Labour MP Carolyn Harris, the chair of the APPG.

"Access to HRT remains a postcode lottery for women in the UK and there is a stark divide between those who can afford to seek treatment elsewhere, and those who cannot.

Half the population will experience the menopause, but an "entrenched taboo" around women's health issues means support for the 13 million women going through perimenopause or the menopause is "completely inadequate", MPs warn.

"The NHS must implement a health check for all women at the age of 45, offered in a similar way to cervical cancer smears when all women are invited to make an appointment," its report will say.

"This is crucial to ensure women are engaged with the health system ahead of or in the early stages of perimenopause, help diagnose menopause at an earlier stage and ensure women are better prepared, and have the right information and treatment they need to manage the menopause transition." - APPG report 12th October 2022\.

Tuune are a Google-backed female hormonal health company focussed on improving current care pathways, for both doctors and patients, for the menopause and other hormonal health conditions through the use of data, AI and technology.

Addressing the challenges outlined by the APPG, we are a building new AI-based menopausal and perimenopausal pre-screening and support tool for GPs and Patients, to address the diagnosis and care challenges associated with 1.3m perimenopausal women, aged 35-45, in the UK, improve care and address the inefficiencies in the current system.