Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York is set to convene the first congressional hearing focused on menopause, aiming to bring attention to what she describes as an overlooked and underfunded area of women’s health. The hearing, scheduled for Wednesday before the Senate Committee on Aging, marks a rare federal examination of menopause-related research and care in the lead-up to the November midterm elections.
Gillibrand, the chairwoman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, emphasized the urgency of addressing the health challenges faced by millions of women. She cited symptoms beyond the commonly recognized night sweats and hot flashes, including severe bleeding, mood swings, depression, and sexual pain, underscoring the often debilitating impact of menopause. “Many women can’t have sex anymore because of debilitating pain,” Gillibrand said, noting that some suffer to the point of requiring hysterectomies and prolonged incapacitation.
The senator plans to highlight the inadequacy of current medical training and federal research funding on menopause, calling for increased investment and legislative action to close what she terms a “menopause care gap.” Alongside Senator Rick Scott of Florida, the committee’s Republican chairman, Gillibrand has requested a study from the Government Accountability Office to assess the federal government’s role in menopause research and treatment.
According to data from the nonprofit organization Let’s Talk Menopause, roughly 80 percent of obstetrics and gynecology residents feel ill-prepared to discuss menopause with patients, while millions of women experiencing severe symptoms remain untreated. The Mayo Clinic estimates menopause-related medical expenses and lost work productivity cost the U.S. economy $26 billion annually.
Gillibrand also criticized recent moves by the Food and Drug Administration, such as removing black box warnings from estrogen-containing hormone replacement therapies, arguing that these changes reduce transparency and information available to women.
The topic of menopause has gained increasing public attention in recent years, with advocates including philanthropist Melinda French Gates and actress Halle Berry, who has spoken publicly about her own misdiagnosed symptoms. Gates has called for a “menopause revolution” in healthcare policy, emphasizing the need for better support during midlife transitions.
Gillibrand acknowledged that discussions of menopause remain difficult for many men, attributing this to longstanding societal taboos surrounding women's health issues. Nevertheless, she emphasized the importance of confronting these challenges openly and integrating menopause into wider healthcare priorities focused on access and affordability.
As the senior Democrat on the aging committee, Gillibrand has prioritized menopause as the subject for her annual hearing, aiming to address what she describes as one of the most underexplored areas of women’s health. The hearing stands to be a significant step in raising federal awareness of menopause and shaping future policy responses.