10/12/2026
Women’s Health Deserves Better: More Than 20 Years Is Too Long
April 18, 2025
I am feeling frustrated that it took more than 20 years for the American Medical Association to acknowledge that “hormone replacement therapy may be appropriate for some women.” Women have spent decades navigating menopause symptoms, unanswered questions, and conflicting medical guidance, often without the information or support they needed to make informed decisions about their health.
What is equally frustrating is that even now, there still seems to be hesitation in fully supporting women who may benefit from hormone replacement therapy. While acknowledging that treatment may be appropriate for some women is a step forward, it is not enough. Women deserve clear, evidence-based guidance, informed conversations with their healthcare providers, and individualized care without unnecessary fear or dismissal.
Equally concerning is the continued lack of comprehensive menopause and hormone health education in our medical training programs. How can we expect healthcare professionals to confidently and effectively support women through menopause if they are not adequately educated about it during their medical training? This knowledge gap affects not only physicians but also the nurses and other healthcare professionals who play essential roles in women’s care.
Women make up approximately half the population, yet menopause—a significant and often life-altering stage of life—continues to receive insufficient attention in medical education and clinical practice. We should not have to rely on social media, personal research, or years of advocating for ourselves to obtain the information and care we deserve.
More than 20 years is too long to wait for acknowledgment. And acknowledgment without meaningful education, clinical guidance, and consistent support is not enough.
Women deserve better. We deserve comprehensive menopause education in our medical programs, healthcare professionals who are equipped to discuss hormone therapy objectively, and research-informed, individualized treatment options. Most importantly, women deserve to be heard, believed, and supported throughout every stage of their lives—not left to navigate these decisions in a system that is still catching up.
