Why Congress Is Talking About Menopause Now

On September 16, 2026, the Senate Special Committee on Aging convened the first-ever congressional hearing devoted to menopause, a milestone that placed mid-life women’s health on a formal federal agenda. The session, held in room SH-216, featured testimony from clinicians and scholars including Jean Wactawski-Wende, Lynne M. Coslett-Charlton, Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, and Suzanne Silverman Fenske. Senators framed the hearing as a chance to identify gaps in care and to press for more coordinated research and provider training, since many clinical programs have historically given limited attention to perimenopause and menopausal symptoms.

Legislative and agency actions that have recently reshaped the field were reviewed during testimony. Gillibrand has supported text in legislation that would authorize $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029 for research and related programs, and additional authorizations of $10,000,000 each year were outlined for public education and outreach. NIH tracking shows $56 million in RCDC menopause funding in fiscal year 2023, and targeted grant opportunities, such as PAR-25-281 for mood and psychosis during the menopause transition, have been issued to deepen clinical understanding.

Regulatory change has also influenced care: in 2025 the FDA removed broad 'black box' warnings from some menopausal hormone therapy products, a step that has prompted clinicians to revisit treatment risks and benefits. If funding and training are expanded, patients who experience severe hot flashes, genitourinary pain, or mood disorders may receive timelier diagnosis and a wider range of evidence-based options. Many witnesses also discussed workplace impacts and the need for better medical education, noting that improved care could support careers and quality of life for mid-life women.