Hormonal health
Periods cause students to miss six weeks of study
UK students lose around six weeks of academic time during their degrees due to menstrual health issues, with 70 per cent struggling to concentrate during assessments.
Students diagnosed with conditions such as endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) reported missing around 11 weeks across a three-year course.
Endometriosis causes tissue similar to the womb lining to grow elsewhere in the body, while PCOS affects hormone levels and ovary function.
The findings come from a Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) report into the “hidden impact” of menstruation in higher education.
Rose Stephenson, Hepi director of policy and report author, said: “The findings from this report demonstrate the hidden impact of periods and menstrual cycles on students’ higher education studies,” said
“This is a particularly serious issue for those who have been diagnosed with menstruation-related illnesses who miss, on average, 11 weeks of academic study over a three-year degree course.
“Menstrual health is not a niche concern. It is a structural issue that deserves thoughtful institutional and governmental responses.”
The research included 950 respondents who had menstruated in the previous year—mostly women, but also 1 per cent transgender men and 1 per cent non-binary individuals.
Taking this into account, along with the fact that some women do not menstruate due to contraception, the author noted the decision to use terms like “people who menstruate” or “students who menstruate”, acknowledging these may “appear clumsy” but reflect the data accurately.
While the majority reported negative impacts, 15 per cent said they experienced mental or physical boosts at certain points in their cycle, helping with focus and performance.
The report calls for clearer institutional and governmental policies, including explicit references to women’s health conditions when considering time off or assignment extensions.
It recommends raising awareness of menstrual health in the same way menopause is now addressed—with policies, training, and support plans to reduce stigma and signpost available help for both staff and students.
As part of the research, 1,571 people were asked about menstrual education.
Twenty-two per cent of male students said they had received no lessons on periods or the menstrual cycle. Women were more likely than men to rate their education as poor.
The report said school-based education may suit those without periods who need to understand them, but teaching for women “could and should be improved”.
Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, president of Universities UK, said: “Historically, menstruation has too often been framed as a source of embarrassment, invisibility, or disadvantage.
“That should no longer be the case.
“This report sets out a challenge to reflect on how systems, policies and assumptions may obscure the realities of those they serve and to shape a more intelligent, humane and responsive academic culture. That is a challenge well worth taking up.”
The Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education said it is important that providers clearly explain how students can seek support for personal circumstances, including menstruation.
It added that many institutions have recently adopted more flexible approaches, including self-certification and a focus on impact rather than formal medical diagnosis.
“We hope that this will encourage more students affected by the issues identified in this valuable research to seek appropriate support,” the organisation said.
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Our new sex and health education guidance makes clear that pupils should learn the facts about the menstrual cycle, as well as the associated physical and emotional changes.
“Universities are expected to support students’ wellbeing, attendance and academic performance, and we encourage them to make free period products easily available across campus.”
Digital diagnostics company Medichecks has acquired specialist menopause health platform and clinic My Menopause Centre.
The deal is part of Medichecks’ move into clinical services and follows its earlier purchase of Leger Clinic, creating what the company describes as a hormone health offering for women and men across the UK.
Medichecks and My Menopause Centre will combine digital services with clinical governance. The acquisition aims to enhance Medichecks’ ability to deliver integrated testing, diagnosis and ongoing clinical support.
The combined group plans to grow its specialist hormone health services, supporting patients across the UK with clinical care throughout different stages of their hormone health journey.
Helen Marsden, co-founder of Medichecks, said: “At Medichecks, our mission is to make healthcare more accessible, evidence-based and patient-centred.
“Helen and Clare have built an outstanding, clinically credible platform that is transforming menopause care for women across the UK.
“Medichecks now owns two CQC Outstanding-rated clinics, the only clinics in their respective sectors to achieve this rating, and we are deeply committed to delivering safe, compassionate and patient-centric care.
“We’re proud to continue the founders’ legacy while supporting the next stage of growth, ensuring more women can access high-quality menopause care when they need it most.”
The CQC, or Care Quality Commission, is the independent regulator of health and social care in England.
The acquisition supports Medichecks’ plans to make hormone healthcare more accessible by delivering integrated testing, diagnosis and ongoing clinical support for patients across the UK.
Helen Normoyle, co-founder and chief executive of My Menopause Centre, said: “We set out to build something resilient, clinically credible and scalable, not just fast.
“Our mission has always been to make menopause care compassionate, accessible and grounded in evidence. Medichecks shares that vision.
“Their digital platform, commitment to clinical excellence and patient-centred care make them the ideal partner to take My Menopause Centre into its next chapter.
“This milestone reflects not only a strong product, but a remarkable team and community.
“I’m deeply proud of what we’ve built and excited to see My Menopause Centre grow further under Medichecks’ leadership.”
Menopause specialist Dr Mary Claire Haver has been appointed as the first chief agewell officer at virtual care clinic Midi Health.
In the role, Dr Haver will work with Midi’s clinical team to develop the AgeWell platform, described as a proactive health model that integrates perimenopause and menopausal care with metabolic health, bone density, brain health and cardiovascular risk assessment.
The platform aims to provide preventative care targeting what the company describes as the primary drivers of female mortality and disability: heart disease, bone loss and cognitive decline.
Joanna Strober, chief executive and co-founder of Midi Health, said: “Longevity care has historically ignored women’s biology, especially during the critical windows of midlife and menopause.
“At Midi Health, we are committed to extending healthspan, not just lifespan, and making that care accessible to millions of women as a core pillar of their health.
“By collaborating with Dr Haver, we are ensuring women continue to have access to care designed for their bodies, their hormones, and their real lives.”
Dr Haver is board-certified in obstetrics and gynaecology, a Menopause Society certified practitioner, a certified culinary medicine specialist and an adjunct associate professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at The University of Texas Medical Branch.
After a career in academic medicine, Dr Haver founded The Pause Life, described as a science and education-based resource for women navigating perimenopause and the menopause transition.
Through her books, unPaused podcast and digital platform, she has provided education on midlife health.
Dr Mary Claire Haver said: “I have spent my career advocating for women to receive the science-backed, no-nonsense guidance they deserve.
“I chose to partner with Midi Health because they are the only platform with the scale and medical rigour to deliver the kind of care women deserve, regardless of their zip codes.
“Together, we are setting a new standard for proactive, preventative care that meaningfully extends both lifespan and healthspan for women.”
Mira has integrated with Oura, letting users see sleep, readiness and temperature trends alongside hormone readings in the Mira app.
The integration lets Mira users view Oura sleep, readiness and temperature trends next to hormone data to show how hormonal shifts affect daily wellbeing. Oura members must consent to share their data with Mira.
Oura is a smart ring that tracks sleep patterns, heart rate and body temperature.
Sylvia Kang, chief executive and founder of Mira. said: “Hormones affect nearly every system in the body, yet are rarely measured or contextualised with daily health signals.
“By bringing these data streams together in one app, Mira and Oura help women move beyond isolated metrics to understand patterns.
“By connecting hormone data with daily health signals, we’re giving women insights they can act on, whether managing fertility, navigating perimenopause, or addressing hormonal imbalances.”
The integration supports several health journeys.
In perimenopause and menopause, users can track temperature and sleep with hormone changes to spot disruptions and improve rest.
For fertility and menstrual cycle awareness, combining hormone data with temperature and wellness signals can help confirm ovulation and clarify cycle patterns.
Users can also link fatigue or poor sleep with hormonal shifts to inform clinical discussions.
Dr Chris Curry is clinical director of women’s health at Oura.
Curry said: “Hormonal changes play a critical role in how women feel each day and are a through line that connects so many aspects of health, from first periods, to menstrual cycles, pregnancy, perimenopause and beyond.
“By combining Mira’s lab-grade hormone data with Oura’s continuous biometrics, we’re helping women see how hormonal shifts show up in their everyday lives.
“This integrated view supports our goal of always supporting body literacy.”
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