Menopause symptoms can be particularly frustrating. They’re different for every person, and it’s unclear why some of the most common symptoms, such as hot flashes, happen in some women but not others. The consumption of soy, such as tofu or soybeans, or in the form of supplements, in place of hormone therapy is one option — but research shows the approach may not be as helpful as the hype proclaims. Scientists have been exploring soy for menopause symptoms for decades, and most of the…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted de novo marketing authorization for the Invitae Common Hereditary Cancers Panel, an in vitro diagnostic test that can help detect hundreds of genetic variants associated with an elevated risk of developing certain cancers. The test can also help identify potentially cancer-associated hereditary variants in individuals with already-diagnosed cancer. The test, which is the first of its kind to be granted FDA marketing authorization, evaluates DNA…

23andMe Holding Co. has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance to expand its existing BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk Report*. The clearance allows 23andMe to report an additional 41 variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes known to be associated with higher risk for breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancer. 23andMe received the first FDA authorization for a direct-to-consumer genetic test for cancer risk in 2018 to report 3 variants in the…

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Zurzuvae (zuranolone), the first oral medication indicated to treat postpartum depression (PPD) in adults. PPD is a major depressive episode that typically occurs after childbirth but can also begin during the later stages of pregnancy. Until now, treatment for PPD was only available as an IV injection given by a health care provider in certain health care facilities.“Postpartum depression is a serious and potentially life-threatening…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Opill (norgestrel) tablet for nonprescription use to prevent pregnancy— the first daily oral contraceptive approved for use in the U.S. without a prescription. Approval of this progestin-only oral contraceptive pill provides an option for consumers to purchase oral contraceptive medicine without a prescription at drug stores, convenience stores and grocery stores, as well as online. The timeline for availability and price of this nonprescription…

Alzheimer disease is twice as common in women than in men; therefore, midlife exposures that might influence its risk in women are of considerable interest. An observational study by Nelsan Pourhadi and colleagues published in BMJ (June 28, 2023) using Danish registries investigated the associations of hormone therapy (HT) with dementia later in life and found an increased risk of dementia with either short-term or long-term use. In an editorial also published in BMJ, Drs. JoAnn Manson and…

Duavee® (conjugated estrogens/bazedoxifene) is back in stock at pharmacies with improved packaging! In 2020, Pfizer voluntarily recalled Duavee due to a weakness in the secondary packaging. Secondary packaging ensures that oxygen doesn’t reach the product and protects the product’s shelf life. Duavee was NOT recalled due to safety issues with the tablets themselves. Pfizer conducted an investigation and evaluated potential solutions, testing each against a series of thresholds. Duavee…

Diane Hoard's menopause symptoms started at age 50, and sometimes became debilitating."They were happening every half hour, all day and all night," she says. "They were relentless."Her hot flashes impact her concentration, sleep, and even work."You're worried about when it's going to happen and you're miserable while it's happening," she told 3News, "and you can't just get up and walk away," Diane said.Estrogen therapy worked wonders, but Hoard had to stop after a breast cancer diagnosis. Her…

The Food and Drug Administration approved on Friday a new nonhormonal medication to treat the hot flashes and night sweats that often plague people during menopause.While not quite as effective as the standard treatment — estrogen or estrogen coupled with progestin — the new prescription drug, fezolinetant, will be welcomed by those who struggle with vasomotor symptoms — episodes of intense heat along with sweating and flushing — and won't or can’t take hormonal therapy, such as breast cancer…

Monica Robins interviews Speaking of Women's Health Executive Director Holly L. Thacker, MD to discuss what women need to know about hormones and menopause.

Women are more likely than men to develop Alzheimer's disease (AD), with women making up two-thirds of the population living with AD. A new study sheds light on the relationship between the risk of Alzheimer's disease and age of menopause and use of hormone therapy (HT).

There is a new study by Saleh and colleagues published in Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy. The study suggests that hormone therapy (HT) is associated with improved cognition and larger brain volumes in at-risk APOE ε4 women. Dr. Kenjal Kantarci, provides her expert commentary to help put this new study into perspective.Article Summary The risk of dementia is higher in women than in men. The decline of estrogen during the menopause transition is theorized to accelerate development of…

By: Holly L. Thacker, MDMenopausal hormone therapy has complex cardiometabolic effects. Age, time since menopause, type and route of administration of HT and concomitant disease are all factors in the response to HT and the risk-benefit equation.In general, both estradiol and progesterone are vasodilatory but when given orally can lead to activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Activation of the RAAS system can lead to vasoconstriction with some fluid retention and resultant…

In September 2023, SCYNEXIS issued a voluntary nationwide recall of 2 lots of BREXAFEMME (ibrexafungerp tablets) to the consumer level in the US market due to potential cross contamination with a non-antibacterial ß-lactam drug substance in the ibrexafungerp citrate used to manufacture the BREXAFEMME® tablets.Scynexis has Brexafemme temporarily unavailable and the company cannot estimate when the product will return to the market.BREXAFEMME, an oral, non-azole medication, is the first and only…

Many people are familiar with the hallmark signs and symptoms of menopause – including hot flashes, low sex drive or weight gain. The concept of perimenopause, on the other hand, often remains more of a mystery. Perimenopause is the natural process when an individual transitions to menopause. Sometimes described as a “second puberty,” knowing what to expect when going through it can be helpful for women as they age.Perimenopause vs. Menopause Perimenopause refers to the years leading up…

Did you know eight million U.S. women over 50 suffer from osteoporosis? It is called a “silent disease” because those who develop it may not notice any changes until a bone breaks, but in most cases, it can be preventable. According to the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation, as much as 20% of bone loss occurs within your first five years of menopause, a time when women’s bodies change significantly and estrogen, a hormone that protects bones, decreases sharply. That’s why opting for a…

A new study points to how much and how quickly you should walk to reduce your risk of dementia.

According to a new study recently published in the journal Menopause by the North American Menopause Society, making dietary changes during menopause may be as effective as hormone replacement therapy for treating hot flashes without associated health risks. According to researchers, participants who adhered to a strictly plant-based diet rich in soy saw an 88% reduction in their symptoms. By comparison, hormone replacement therapy is associated with a 70–90% reduction in hot flashes. In…

The American Cancer Society found a 43% decline in overall deaths from breast cancer in the past 30 years, but the mortality rate for Black women is 40% higher in comparison to white women.Watch

Globally, approximately one in three 30–79-year-olds have hypertension — or in other words, high blood pressure.A new simulated study has found that following a DASH diet may be the most effective lifestyle intervention to reduce cardiovascular disease in people with mild hypertension.The study found that this dietary change could prevent nearly 3,000 deaths in the U.S. alone. The World Health Organization estimates that worldwide 1.28 billion adults ages 30-79 have high blood pressure or…