What Is Movember? 2026 Rules, How to Take Part and Men’s Health (UK)

What is Movember?

Movember is a men’s health charity and a yearly campaign that has run every November for more than 20 years. People grow moustaches (a “Mo”), move, host events and fundraise, and the money goes to projects on three causes: mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

Plenty of men ask us where to start with CBD. Our guide to the best CBD oil in the UK compares strengths, how much oil is 10mg and what to check on a lab report. For picks aimed at men, including gym and drug test checks, see the best CBD oil for men UK.

Movember overlaps with Stress Awareness Week in early November, a good moment to check in on yourself and the men around you.

According to Movember, men die nearly five years earlier than women, mostly from preventable causes.

What does Movember mean?

The name blends “Mo”, slang for a moustache, with November. The charity jokingly calls it “the month formerly known as November”. It began in 2003, when two friends in Melbourne, Australia, talked 30 mates into growing a Mo. The UK campaign launched in 2007. Here it is run by Movember Europe, a registered charity in England and Wales (1137948) and Scotland (SC041981).

When does Movember start and end in 2026?

Movember 2026 runs for the whole of November, from Sunday 1 November to Monday 30 November. If you are growing, start clean-shaven on 1 November: Movember’s rules say head starts aren’t allowed.

What is the Movember 2026 theme?

The Movember 2026 theme is Make a Growmitment. Movember describes a Growmitment as your commitment to change men’s health, and the campaign asks men not to grow it alone: sign up with a friend or team, then grow a Mo, move 60km, host an event or donate. The money goes to mental health, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

What is the point of Movember?

The point of Movember is to stop men dying too young. The moustache gets men talking about their health and raises money for projects on prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health. Movember says it has funded more than 1,320 projects worldwide since 2003.

What does Movember raise money for?

Movember raises money for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention. Its FAQ says projects are funded directly or through men’s health partners, and that admin and fundraising costs are 22.8% of funds raised (checked November 2026).

Is Movember a good charity?

Movember Europe is a registered charity in England and Wales (1137948) and Scotland (SC041981), and the Charity Commission register shows its reporting is up to date. In the year to 30 April 2025 it had income of £27.4 million and spent £21.1 million, £16.5 million of it on charitable activities.

Evopure isn’t affiliated with Movember. If you want to donate or sign up, go straight to Movember’s own UK website.

How to do Movember in 2026

To sign up for Movember, register on Movember’s UK website or app, choose how to take part (Grow a Mo, Move 60km, Host a Mo-ment or Mo Your Own Way), set a target, then share your Mo Space fundraising page so people can sponsor you.

Mo Your Own Way can be a personal best, a month off social media or a big hill walk. Always fundraise through Movember’s official UK site.

Movember rules for growing a Mo

• Start completely clean-shaven on 1 November. No head starts.
• Moustache only. Movember says a traditional Mo ideally doesn’t join up to your sideburns (that’s a beard) and preferably doesn’t run down across your chin (that’s a goatee).
• A little leeway. A small tuft under the bottom lip, which Movember calls a “tickler”, is allowed.
• Already have a moustache? Movember suggests getting sponsored to shave it off on 1 November, then regrowing it.

Can you grow a beard for Movember, or start with a moustache?

No beard: Movember is a moustache challenge. Its FAQ says everyone starts completely clean-shaven on 1 November, and a Mo that joins your sideburns is technically a beard. Already have a moustache or beard? Movember suggests getting friends to sponsor you to shave it off on 1 November, then regrowing it as a Mo.

The Move challenge: 60km in a month

Move means walking or running 60km during November, in one go or bit by bit. Movember says the 60km stands for the 60 men lost to suicide around the world every hour. You can connect Garmin, Fitbit or Strava to your Mo Space to log your distance automatically.

Movember challenge ideas

Good Movember challenges are simple, easy to sponsor and doable in 30 days. Movember’s own Mo Your Own Way ideas: climb a mountain, break a personal best, quit a bad habit for a month or take on a dare. Others that work well:

• Walk 2km a day: that’s the 60km Move challenge.
• A month off alcohol, takeaways or social media.
• A Mo-ment: quiz, curry night, bake sale or five-a-side.

Can women do Movember?

Yes. Movember leaves growing a Mo to the men, but women, whom the charity calls Mo Sisters, can sign up to Move 60km, host a Mo-ment, set their own challenge or donate.

Movember logo, colours, posters and merch

Movember’s symbol is the moustache itself. Its logos are registered trademarks: use the charity’s downloadable artwork unaltered, and not on anything you sell without its written agreement. Its free fundraising resources include printable posters, social tiles and stickers, and official gear comes from its Mo Merch store. We found no official Movember colour on its UK site.

The three causes and the checks behind them

Prostate cancer: know the signs

The NHS says prostate cancer often has no symptoms at first. When symptoms do show, they are mostly about peeing: straining or difficulty starting, a weak or “stop start” flow, needing to go urgently or often, peeing at night, or feeling you haven’t finished. An enlarged prostate often causes these too, but get them checked.

Your risk is higher if you are over 50, from a Black African or African Caribbean background, or have a family history of prostate cancer. You can ask your GP about a PSA blood test even without symptoms. It can’t diagnose cancer on its own, so your GP will talk through whether it is right for you.

Testicular cancer: a one-minute monthly check

Movember describes testicular cancer as the most common cancer in young men, and highly curable when found early. The NHS suggests checking about once a month, ideally during or after a warm bath or shower. Support your scrotum in one hand and gently roll each testicle between your thumb and fingers. They should feel smooth and firm but not hard, and it’s normal for one to hang lower. See a GP about any lump, swelling, heaviness, ache or change that isn’t normal for you.

The NHS Health Check at 40 to 74

If you live in England and are aged 40 to 74 without certain existing conditions, you should be invited for a free NHS Health Check every 5 years. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes and checks your blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and lifestyle, then gives you your risk of heart disease and stroke over the next 10 years. If you haven’t had one, ask your GP practice. See also supplements for men over 40 and 50.

Movember facts and statistics (UK)

Movember started in Melbourne in 2003, came to the UK in 2007 and has funded more than 1,320 men’s health projects worldwide. The UK figures behind it: about 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer, and men in England and Wales die by suicide at about three times the rate of women.

If you’re struggling, Samaritans are free on 116 123, 24 hours a day.

Men’s mental health in the UK

Many men find it hard to talk about how they feel, and the figures show why that matters. In England and Wales, the suicide rate for men in 2024 was 17.6 per 100,000, about three times the rate for women (5.7). The highest rate was in men aged 50 to 54.

Common signs that someone is struggling include withdrawing from friends, sleeping badly, drinking more, losing interest in things, irritability and seeming flat or not themselves. Low mood that lasts more than a couple of weeks is a reason to see a GP. See low mood. The good news is that help works, and it is easier to reach than many men think.

How to support a man who is struggling

You don’t need to be an expert. Movember’s mental health advice uses a simple four-step approach called ALEC, developed by the charity R U OK?:

• Ask: start with how he’s doing and mention any changes you’ve noticed. “You haven’t seemed yourself lately. Are you OK?”
• Listen: give him your full attention, don’t judge, and don’t try to fix everything.
• Encourage action: suggest small steps such as better sleep, getting outside or talking to someone he trusts. If he has felt low for more than two weeks, encourage him to see a GP.
• Check in: follow up in a few days with a call or a message, and keep doing it.

Side by side often works better than face to face: many men open up more easily on a walk or while doing something together.

Where to get help

• Samaritans: call 116 123, free, 24 hours a day, every day.
• CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): call 0800 58 58 58, 5pm to midnight every day, or use webchat on its website.
• Shout: text SHOUT to 85258, 24 hours a day.
• Andy’s Man Club: a men’s suicide prevention charity running free peer-to-peer support groups across the UK and online, every Monday at 7pm except bank holidays. There’s no booking or charge, groups are confidential, and you can just listen. It’s peer-led and can’t give immediate support, so use the numbers above in a crisis. Find a group on the ANDYSMANCLUB website (checked November 2026).
• NHS Talking Therapies: adults in England can refer themselves, without going through a GP, for help with low mood, worry, anxiety and stress.
• Your GP: for anything that has lasted a few weeks or is affecting your sleep, work or relationships.

Reaching out isn’t weakness. It’s the most practical step there is.

Stress and burnout

Stress in men often shows up in the body first: poor sleep, tight shoulders, headaches, a short fuse, more drinking, or feeling wired but tired. Long stretches can tip into burnout.

We cover this in depth in stress in men, with the signs to look for in stress symptoms and burnout symptoms. The dull but reliable basics: movement, daylight, a steady bedtime, less alcohol and talking. See how to relieve stress.

If you are thinking about CBD as part of a daily routine, our buying guide to the best CBD oil for anxiety UK compares strengths, labels and lab reports. CBD isn’t a treatment for stress or any condition.

Men and sleep: snoring, sleep apnoea and 7 to 9 hours

An expert panel for the US National Sleep Foundation recommends 7 to 9 hours a night for adults. Short sleep makes stress, mood and energy harder to manage.

Snoring and sleep apnoea

A systematic review of 24 studies found obstructive sleep apnoea is more common in men, and rises with age and higher body weight. The NHS lists the signs: loud snoring, breathing that stops and starts, gasping or choking noises, waking a lot, and feeling very tired, foggy or moody during the day. If your partner has noticed these, take them along to the GP. Sleep apnoea can be serious if it isn’t treated, and you may need to tell the DVLA. See sleep apnoea and how to stop snoring.

Easy sleep wins

• Keep the same wake-up time, even at weekends.
• Get outside in daylight in the morning, especially as the days shorten.
• Cut caffeine after lunchtime and keep alcohol for earlier in the evening, or skip it.
• Put the phone away 30 to 60 minutes before bed.

More in sleep hygiene and how to fall asleep fast.

Energy: movement, food and alcohol

Move more (Movember makes it easy)

The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, plus strength work on at least 2 days. Movember’s 60km Move challenge works out at 2km a day, which is a brisk 20 to 25 minute walk. Try Japanese walking to make walks count.

Eat enough protein

Protein at each meal supports the strength work above. Our guide to how much protein you need has simple amounts, and creatine explains one of the best-studied gym supplements.

Watch the drinking

The NHS low-risk guideline for men and women is no more than 14 units a week, spread over 3 or more days, with several drink-free days. Alcohol can help you nod off but tends to break up sleep later in the night (see alcohol and sleep). Cutting back? Our Dry January guide works in November too.

A little everyday support

Supplements don’t replace the basics, but some men add a few to their routine. Our Magnesium Glycinate Sleep Complex is an evening drink with magnesium bisglycinate and citrate, L-theanine, glycine and chamomile. Magnesium contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to normal psychological function. See magnesium for men for how much you need. To compare other brands and forms, see our guide to the best magnesium supplement UK.

Our Flow CBD Oil combines broad spectrum CBD with ashwagandha and maca in MCT oil, for men who want a daytime drop as part of their routine (more on the herb in ashwagandha for men). CBD isn’t a treatment for stress or any condition. The FSA’s 10mg a day figure is precautionary advice rather than a legal limit, set while longer-term safety research continues. At Evopure we think it is a very cautious figure, and many adults use more. If you go above it, increase slowly, and check with your GP or pharmacist first if you take any medication.

If you are swapping a few pints for something warm, our Reishi Mushroom Adaptogenic Complex is a hot chocolate made with reishi mushroom, cacao and maca. It contains a little natural caffeine from the cacao, so have it earlier in the evening rather than right before bed. All our products are for adults (18+) only. We don’t recommend our products during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Your 30-day Movember checklist

Small, repeatable steps beat a big plan. Pick one or two a week.

More on the maca in Flow in our guide to maca for men and women.

Looking for a Movember or Christmas present? Our wellness gifts for men guide pairs practical gifts with a nudge to book a health check.

Looking for a present with a health nudge built in? Our Christmas gifts for dad guide has ideas, including time outdoors together. For a man who already uses CBD, see our guide to the best CBD gifts in the UK (adults only).

If you’re running on empty, our guide to why you’re always tired covers sleep apnoea, low mood and the blood tests a GP may suggest.

Wondering whether low mood, poor sleep and low energy in your late 40s or 50s are the “male menopause”? Our guide to male menopause symptoms explains what the NHS says.