The Rise of Women’s Health: 2024, The World’s Most Progressive Menopause Research Shows that Hormones are not All You Need

After decades of neglect, research funding for menopause, as well as public awareness, are now on the rise. This is a significant move that could be the start of a revolution in women’s health. In May 2024, the US National Institutes of Health held a round table on future directions in menopause research, and through a White House Initiative that year, the administration of then-president Joe Biden awarded US$113 million to women’s health research. vocal advocates around the world continue to push for awareness of how menopause affects health Actor Halle Berry has joined US senators in championing a bill that would boost menopause research; a UK-based group of women called Menopause Mandate has organized walks to raise awareness; and Menopause Solutions Africa offers workplace training programmes.

Finally, in May 2024, a review2 gained traction in medical circles and the popular media. Some of the authors that worked on the original 2002 paper emphasized that the WHI trials differed from what is typically used in today’s world. The therapy was only taken in the trials. Today, the use of transdermal patches can reduce concerns about the blood clots that can be associated with oral delivery. A recent shift to hormones that are identical to the ones the body makes and the prescription of lower doses of hormones might further reduce risks, the authors note. Most of the people that were in the trials were at least a decade older than themselves. At that point, research suggests, the sudden renewed presence of oestrogen might cause health problems. Timing of hormone-therapy initiation could be a factor.

And beyond managing menopause symptoms, there are long-term benefits that could outweigh any risks. The use of hormones to prevent osteoporosis in all age groups has been supported by data since the 1980s. “The big thing that was missed in this whole WHI story was the benefit of oestrogen for fracture,” says Davis. She has been investigating whether supplemental testosterone could also protect bones after menopause.

For heart disease, the equation gets more complicated. If the therapy is started early, evidence suggests that it might prevent vascular disease. But, in people with vascular disease, researchers say, the therapy might worsen the condition. There are growing hints that well- timed therapy can benefit brain health.

At present, the exact benefits and risks of the therapy remain unclear, says Davis. I could give you any story you want to hear, even if you slice and dice and cherry pick the data. Her concern is that researchers continue to trawl big data sets without understanding the nuances and limitations of the data.

Renee Wegrzyn, director of the ARPA-H, a government agency tasked with steering the White House Initiative on women’s health says there are many chronic health conditions associated with failure of the ovaries. So some scientists have a different idea — keep the ovaries working indefinitely.

Some specialists point out that replacing hormones might not be enough. The ovary is responsible for a lot more than just making hormones. Zev Williams, a reproductive endocrinologist at Columbia University in New York, says that small organs send chemical signals throughout the body, driving hundreds of other factors with health benefits.

The best time to start hormone therapy can be found with the help of Wearable sensors, and also with the help of Implantable bioelectronic devices. Some doctors caution against using therapy during perimenopause because of the high combined hormone levels that can occur during natural fluctuations. One day, these devices might be able to deliver hormones in a timely manner.

Nature asked funders what they were doing to raise awareness of the menopause crisis: An example of how the United States stepped up to support research in women’s health

Nature asked funders what they were doing to study the life stage experienced by half of humanity. They told us what they had to say.

At the same time, many health-care professionals are interested in being certified to treat menopause. In the United States between 2022 and 2024, for example, there was a fivefold increase in people applying to take the certification exam of the Menopause Society, a non-profit organization in Pepper Pike, Ohio.

Many of these initiatives need to become better known. It is surprising that few funders are following in the footsteps of theNIH, because they have done so well so far.

The consortium of universities received a grant from the largest research funding program in the world to find a cure for cardiovascular diseases in women 40 years of age and older. However, Horizon Europe does not have a separate menopause category. Neither does it have a category for women’s health, instead including the subject in a general ‘health’ portfolio of grants.

One of the menopause projects being conducted by the US Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health is worth $13.5 million and will help prolong ovarian function and lifespan, while another will help develop ovarian implants to prevent diseases associated with menopause.