RegenCen survey says women still feel dismissed on menopause care

A new RegenCen report finds that most women with menopause symptoms still feel unheard by providers, even after the FDA lifted long-standing hormone therapy warning labels in November 2025. The survey suggests regulatory change has not yet translated into better education, discussion or treatment in the exam room.

Why it matters: - Menopause affects daily life, work, sleep, mood and intimacy for many women, but the survey suggests care conversations still lag behind the scale of the problem. - The FDA’s November 2025 label change was meant to reset long-standing fears around hormone therapy, yet many women still do not know guidance changed. - RegenCen’s findings point to a gap between policy and practice that could limit access to individualized treatment.

What happened: - RegenCen released its State of Menopause Care Report based on responses from 1,251 women ages 35 and older. - The survey found 63.2% of respondents felt dismissed, minimized or not fully heard by a healthcare provider about menopause symptoms. - Nearly half, 49.3%, said that happened more than once. - 42.2% said they were unaware the FDA had changed hormone therapy labeling. - 36.9% said a provider had never discussed the risks and benefits of hormone therapy with them.

The details: - The FDA removed boxed warnings for cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and dementia from many hormone therapy products in November 2025. - The report found the most common symptoms were fatigue or low energy at 69.8%, sleep problems at 67.8%, brain fog or difficulty concentrating at 64.3%, anxiety, irritability or mood changes at 59.2%, and weight gain or changes in body composition at 57%. - Among respondents asked about impacts, 76.3% cited sleep, 68.8% cited mood or mental clarity, 60.8% cited sexual health or intimacy, and 56.6% said symptoms interfered with daily activities. - More than one-third said symptoms affected work or careers. - Among women who identified as perimenopausal or were unsure, 76.4% did not immediately recognize their symptoms could be linked to hormonal changes. - 30.5% said a healthcare provider told them they were too young for hormone-related symptoms. - 55% said a provider had never discussed possible long-term considerations and benefits of hormone therapy related to bone, heart, brain and sexual health. - Only 17.8% said those subjects had been discussed in detail. - Antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication was the most frequently recommended treatment category at 34.2%, ahead of any individual hormone therapy option. - 16.1% said no treatment had been recommended. - 11.2% said they had been told they were not candidates for hormone therapy. - The full report, including methodology and limitations, is available as the full report. - RegenCen said the survey was an anonymous online survey of women ages 35 and older that began June 25, 2026, with responses collected through August 4, 2026. - The respondents came from RegenCen’s existing patient email list, making the sample self-selected and not population-wide.

Between the lines: - Dr. Gustav Lo said the findings were not surprising because RegenCen hears similar complaints from women who feel dismissed or told symptoms are just a phase. - Dr. Lo said the biggest surprise was how few women knew about the FDA’s November 2025 labeling change. - The report suggests many clinicians still frame menopause as a narrow symptom set instead of a broader health transition affecting sleep, cognition, mood and sexual health. - The survey also indicates women are still receiving uneven guidance on hormone therapy, which can make decision-making harder even after the FDA’s policy shift. - One respondent said a primary care doctor brushed her off as the “normal aging process,” reflecting the frustration described throughout the report.

What's next: - RegenCen says better education, earlier symptom recognition and fuller conversations about risks, benefits and alternatives are needed for the FDA change to improve care. - Dr. Lo said women need experienced providers who can explain why older approaches raised concerns, how current treatments differ and why therapy must be individualized and monitored. - The report argues that regulatory change alone will not close the menopause care gap without public education and better clinical communication.

The bottom line: - The FDA changed the labels, but the survey suggests many women are still waiting for the exam-room conversation to catch up.