Non-hormonal menopause pill approved for NHS use

A new daily menopause pill approved for NHS use could bring relief to women with debilitating hot flushes and night sweats.

Around 500,000 women are expected to be eligible for the treatment, which experts say could help those unable to take hormone replacement therapy, or HRT.

The drug, fezolinetant, also known as Veoza, is a daily non-hormonal tablet designed to target the brain signals that trigger some of the most disruptive menopause symptoms.

In final draft guidance published today, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended the 45mg tablet for women experiencing moderate to severe hot flushes and night sweats.

More than two million women in the UK are thought to suffer these symptoms during menopause, often beginning during the earlier stage known as perimenopause.

For many, the effects are severe, disrupting sleep, affecting concentration and straining relationships. In some cases women are even forced to cut back on work.

An estimated 60,000 women in the UK are currently out of work or on long-term sick leave due to severe menopause symptoms, costing the economy roughly £1.5bn a year.

Research also suggests one in 10 women has left the workforce entirely because of a lack of support.