Meet the Innovators Transforming Menopause Care Through Digital Innovation
October 18th marks World Menopause Day, a global awareness initiative led by the International Menopause Society (IMS). Since its founding in 2009, this day has served to highlight the challenges women face during the menopause transition and celebrate progress in research, education, and care.
This year’s theme, “Supporting Women’s Health Through Personalised Menopause Guidance and Care,” calls on all of us—healthcare providers, innovators, employers, and individuals—to take meaningful action to improve the menopause experience for every woman.
On this World Menopause Day, we spotlight two inspiring innovators from the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme who are redefining how women access menopause support: Dr. Clare Spencer and Helen Normoyle, co-founders of My Menopause Centre.
Dr. Clare Spencer is a Clinical Entrepreneur, NHS GP Partner, a registered menopause specialist, and a member of the British Menopause Society’s Medical Advisory Committee. Helen Normoyle brings a wealth of commercial and strategic expertise from her roles as Chief Marketing Officer at Boots, the BBC, and DFS, and as a Non-Executive Director across multiple sectors and part of the CEP Patient Entrepreneur Programme. Together, they are committed to transforming menopause care in the UK by combining clinical excellence with patient-centred digital innovation.
The Challenge: Gaps in Menopause Care
Menopause affects half the population for nearly half their lives, yet many women still struggle to access timely, personalised, and evidence-based support. Research shows that eight out of ten women experience symptoms—often lasting for years—while many underestimate their impact. Delays in diagnosis are common, particularly among women from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and those living in deprived areas. These disparities contribute to poorer health outcomes, workplace challenges, and increased pressure on NHS services.
The consequences are far-reaching. Many women report taking time off work due to symptoms, losing motivation and confidence, and even stepping back from promotions or leaving their jobs entirely. The economic impact is significant—not just for the women affected, but also for employers. For example, Oxford Economics estimates that replacing a woman earning £25,000 who leaves her job due to menopause symptoms could cost her employer over £30,500. Other studies suggest that women miss an average of 3.27 days of work per year due to menopause-related issues.
The Solution: The Menopause Questionnaire (MQ)
To address these inequalities and reduce the economic burden on women and employers, My Menopause Centre developed the Menopause Questionnaire (MQ)—a free, digital tool that takes just four minutes to complete. Using a clinically validated algorithm, the MQ provides a personalised assessment of where someone is in the menopause transition—whether perimenopause, menopause, or post menopause.
After completing the questionnaire, users receive an email with their personalised assessment, along with links to evidence-based information about their symptoms and a holistic range of management options, including lifestyle changes, HRT, and alternatives. This summary can be shared with a GP to guide discussions and help make the most of a standard 10-minute appointment. The platform also offers inclusive resources, including British Sign Language content and support for transgender men and non-binary individuals registered female at birth.
Impact and Recognition
Since its launch in May 2021, over 100,000 people have used the MQ, and the website has welcomed millions of visitors from the UK and beyond. The innovation has been validated through the ORCHA Digital Health Standards Accreditation, with back-testing confirming its clinical reliability.
One user shared their experience in a 5-star Google review, praising the platform’s self-assessment tool, practical information, free newsletter, blogs, and webinars.
“My Menopause Centre is excellent! They provide a self-assessment, lots of useful, practical information on-line, a free newsletter with lots of useful practical info. I wish I had found them and used their services years ago, as the menopause has been difficult for me, and I have had to research it myself over the years as the info that the NHS knows and provides is almost non-existent. So having access to people who really know what they are talking about has been so valuable for me. I often share their info with any women I come across in their 40s who are starting to feel a range of symptoms…”
The team at the My Menopause Centre invite anyone interested to try the MQ for free and explore the evidence-based resources available on the website, or join their Facebook community.
For more information on World Menopause Day please visit the International Menopause Society website.