These emerging therapies are revitalizing menopause treatment
Key Takeaways
Industry Buzz
“Menopause is a season of life that is often glazed over during medical training, when in reality it encompasses many years of a woman’s life.” — Jacquelyn Saengmany, MSN, APRN, MSCP, RNFA, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP) at Mercyhealth
“Partnering with clinicians, patients, media, researchers, and advocacy organizations will help us continue to gain support and attention for menopause so women get the care they need and deserve.” — Jewel Kling, MD, professor of medicine and chair of Women’s Health Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic
Menopause is a significant life stage that affects half of the population, yet for years, it hasn't always received the attention it deserves. But things are starting to change. Increased awareness, research, and professional certifications are leading to entirely new ways of supporting patients through menopause.
“After decades of neglect, research funding for menopause, as well as public awareness, are now on the rise,” according to the authors of a recent Nature article.[] In 2024, the Menopause Society certified over 1,300 providers, proving that professional certification in the field is certainly gaining traction among docs.
As providers, it's essential to stay informed not only about the latest therapies but also the emerging research so you can offer your patients the most up-to-date care. Menopause care is evolving, and now’s the time to ensure you’re ready to support your patients with the best possible resources.
Non-hormonal options
Menopausal hormone therapy has had its share of good and bad press over the years. For those individuals who prefer to not pursue it, or who are not candidates for hormone therapy, non-hormonal medications may be a good fit.
“Menopause is a season of life that is often glazed over during medical training, when in reality it encompasses many years of a woman’s life,” says Jacquelyn Saengmany, a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP) at Mercyhealth in Woodstock, IL. “I would love to see menopause become a staple in women’s healthcare education requirements.”
Laura Bozzuto, MD, an OB/GYN at UW Health and assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, points to fezolinetant as one such solution for treating hot flashes.
In a press release announcing the drug’s approval, the FDA stated that fezolinetant “is the first neurokinin 3 (NK3) receptor antagonist approved by the FDA to treat moderate to severe hot flashes from menopause.” []
Other non-hormonal options may also be on the horizon. Jewel Kling, MD, professor of medicine and chair of Women’s Health Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ, notes that “another similar medication called elinzanetant is currently in clinical trials.”
Related: Your patient’s menopause symptoms could be a warning sign for something worseEstetrol shows promise
Menopause experts share excitement for potential applications of estetrol (E4) in menopausal patients.
Jenna Sarvaideo, DO, an endocrinologist at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin, says that natural forms of estrogen such as E4 “may be safer with fewer side effects.”
According to a study published in Drugs in R&D, research findings indicate that “E4, alone or in combination with a progestin, offers therapeutic efficacy for the prevention of pregnancy and alleviation of menopausal symptoms.” []
This is promising as a possible alternative to oral estrogens, as explained by the E4 study authors: “While the use of oral estrogens can cause unwanted effects due to their impact on non-target tissues, E4 seems to display a more selective pharmacological profile.”
Advocacy and research to continue progress
There is much hope on the horizon for advancements in menopause care.
In the meantime, says Dr. Kling, “partnering with clinicians, patients, media, researchers, and advocacy organizations will help us continue to gain support and attention for menopause so women get the care they need and deserve.”