The menopausal transition occurs over several years and is characterized by significant hormonal changes that can lead to various physical and psychological symptoms. Many women experience hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances, all of which can profoundly impact their quality of life. Despite this, there is often a stark lack of awareness among healthcare professionals regarding how to effectively address these issues. This gap in knowledge signifies a critical area where improvements are both necessary and possible.

The scoping review conducted by Scott and colleagues dives deep into existing literature and current practices related to menopause and healthcare. The research highlights a crucial unmet need for training and education within the healthcare workforce. Many healthcare providers feel ill-equipped to manage menopausal symptoms, leading to insufficient care and support for patients. By identifying this shortfall, the authors aim to advocate for enhanced educational resources targeting menopause management.

Stakeholder consultation is a vital component of this research. By engaging with various stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, patients, and policymakers, the authors sought to capture a comprehensive range of perspectives related to menopause management. These consultations are critical in understanding not only the lived experiences of women undergoing menopause but also the systemic barriers that healthcare providers face in delivering appropriate care.

The results of this research have implications that extend beyond just the healthcare setting. The way society perceives and discusses menopause significantly influences how women experience this stage in their lives. Historically, menopause has often been shrouded in stigma and silence, making it difficult for women to seek assistance and share their experiences openly. By addressing menopause both as a medical and social issue, the authors aim to foster a cultural shift that encourages open conversations and greater empathy within the healthcare workforce.

Moreover, the findings of this review are timely, given the increasing awareness surrounding women’s health issues. There is a growing movement advocating for more attention to be paid to women’s unique health needs, particularly during midlife. By framing menopause within this larger context, Scott et al. emphasize the importance of integrating menopause education into broader women’s health initiatives.

The need for systemic change is evident in many healthcare setups, where menopause is often erroneously seen as a trivial issue. The authors advocate for policies that support comprehensive training programs for healthcare providers, ensuring that they are well-equipped to handle the complexities of menopause. Such changes could drastically improve the care women receive during this significant life change.

As part of their research, Scott and colleagues conducted a thorough examination of current clinical guidelines and best practices. They found that while there are established guidelines available, many practitioners remain unaware of them or do not implement them effectively. This disconnect between existing literature and everyday practices highlights an urgent need for better dissemination of information within healthcare communities.

Additionally, the scoping review provides recommendations for future research directions, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and adaptation within the healthcare field. Women’s health, particularly in regards to menopause, must remain a dynamic area of study, evolving alongside new evidence and societal changes. By prioritizing research in this area, the healthcare workforce can ensure they are meeting the needs of evolving demographics and changing patient expectations.

The stakeholders consulted during this research expressed a desire for more collaborative efforts among healthcare providers, researchers, and advocacy groups. Many felt that a united front would better serve to address the issues surrounding menopause, creating a more robust support network for women. Through greater collaboration, initiatives can be developed that promote awareness, education, and practical resources for both patients and providers.

Finally, this review stands as a call to action for the healthcare community. The authors encourage healthcare organizations and educators to prioritize menopause in their training programs, ensuring that the next generation of healthcare providers is well-versed in this critical area of women’s health. By doing so, they can create a supportive environment that empowers women to seek help during one of the most challenging transitions of their lives.

In conclusion, Scott, Hancock, Rogers, and their team have laid a significant foundation for addressing the complexities of menopause within the healthcare workforce. Their comprehensive scoping review and stakeholder consultation represent an important step towards transforming the dialogue surrounding menopause from one of stigma to one of support and understanding. Moving forward, it is vital for the healthcare system to embrace these findings and prioritize the health and well-being of women experiencing menopause, thereby improving patient care and outcomes for millions.

Subject of Research: Menopause and its impact on the healthcare workforce

Article Title: Menopause and the healthcare workforce: a scoping review and stakeholder consultation

Article References:

Scott, J., Hancock, J., Rogers, M. et al. Menopause and the healthcare workforce: a scoping review and stakeholder consultation. BMC Health Serv Res (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13906-z

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12913-025-13906-z

Keywords: menopause, healthcare workforce, women’s health, training, stakeholder consultation, scoping review.

Anxiety, clinically recognized for its multifaceted psychological and somatic symptoms including nervousness, excessive worry, fear, palpitations, and sleep disturbances such as insomnia, substantially impacts the quality of life for many women undergoing menopause. The neuroendocrine interplay during perimenopause precipitates fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels that may influence central nervous system function, potentially exacerbating anxiety symptoms. Given the significant societal and individual burden of anxiety during this stage of life, the medical community has sought to evaluate whether hormone therapy might serve as a reliable therapeutic modality.

In an effort to synthesize current evidence, investigators conducted a systematic review encompassing a diverse collection of studies—comprising randomized controlled trials, prospective cohort analyses, and case-control studies—that employed estrogen-based hormone therapy administered either orally or via transdermal methods. Collectively, these investigations included data from over 1,200 women undergoing perimenopause or early postmenopause in clinical trials, in addition to observational data reflecting approximately 175,000 women across the midlife continuum. This breadth of data allowed for a comprehensive evaluation of hormone therapy’s potential anxiolytic effects.

Despite the broad scope of research examined, the systematic review concluded that estrogen-based hormone therapy does not universally or consistently reduce anxiety symptoms in midlife women. However, the data revealed modest anxiolytic effects among subgroups of women, specifically those in perimenopause or early postmenopause who exhibited symptomatic anxiety and were within a proximate window of their final menstrual period. These findings suggest that therapeutic timing—relative to menopausal status—and baseline symptom severity are critical determinants impacting the responsiveness to hormone therapy interventions.

Further complexity arises when considering the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of hormone formulations and administration routes. Oral estrogen treatments demonstrated the most promising anxiolytic potential compared to transdermal routes, implicating factors such as first-pass hepatic metabolism and resultant estrogen metabolites as possible modulators of therapeutic efficacy. Dosing regimens varied widely among the studies, underscoring the necessity for standardized, optimized protocols to maximize clinical benefit while minimizing risks.

The neurobiological underpinnings linking estrogen fluctuations to anxiety symptomatology remain an active area of investigation. Estrogen receptors densely populate brain regions integral to mood regulation, including the amygdala and hippocampus. Estrogen’s modulation of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and dopamine circuits may mediate anxiety symptomatology, although the specific mechanistic pathways by which hormone therapy exerts clinical effects are incompletely understood.

Importantly, this systematic review highlights a critical need for future research that stratifies participants more precisely by menopausal stage, symptom profile, and timing of intervention. Tailoring hormone therapy regimens to individual physiological and psychological profiles may ultimately clarify which subsets of women stand to derive meaningful anxiolytic benefit without undue exposure to hormone-related risks. This precision medicine approach holds promise for optimizing therapeutic outcomes in midlife women.

Dr. Carys Stefanie Sosea from McMaster University, who led the review, emphasized the clinical relevance of these findings, noting that “women frequently inquire whether menopause hormone therapy might alleviate their anxiety symptoms. Our review aims to provide clinicians with evidence-based guidance to inform patient counseling and treatment planning.” The synthesis of this diverse literature base seeks to bridge the gap between basic science and clinical practice, enabling nuanced discussions about the risks and benefits of hormone therapy.

The Menopause Society’s medical director, Dr. Stephanie Faubion, elaborated on the implications for clinical care, stating, “Anxiety during the menopause transition is common and profoundly distressing. Understanding the potential impact of estrogen-based hormone therapy—including the influence of formulation, dosing, and administration route—empowers clinicians to better personalize treatment strategies while balancing efficacy and safety.”

The findings presented at the upcoming Annual Meeting will delve deeper into subgroup analyses and pharmacological distinctions, offering clinicians and researchers a more granular understanding of hormone therapy’s role in managing anxiety symptoms. This knowledge will contribute to the evolving paradigm of menopausal care, wherein multidisciplinary strategies are employed to enhance the quality of life for women in midlife.

As the medical community awaits further targeted clinical trials, the current evidence underscores a cautious but hopeful perspective on hormone therapy as one component in the multifaceted management of anxiety during the menopause transition. Patients and providers alike are encouraged to engage in shared decision-making that integrates symptom severity, timing, and individual risk factors when considering hormone therapy.

For additional insights on menopause and strategies to promote healthy aging, healthcare professionals and the public are invited to explore the extensive resources available at menopause.org, the authoritative site dedicated to advancing evidence-based care in menopausal health.

The Menopause Society continues to lead the charge in empowering clinicians by providing comprehensive education, research, and advocacy aimed at enhancing health outcomes for women during the menopause transition and beyond. Founded in 1989, this nonprofit multidisciplinary organization remains the preeminent independent resource guiding the clinical management of menopause-related conditions.

Subject of Research: People
Article Title: The Effects of Estrogen-Based Menopause Hormone Therapy on Anxiety Symptoms in Perimenopausal and Early Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review
News Publication Date: October 21, 2025
Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/GME.0000000000000002541
References: Menopause journal, 2025 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society
Keywords: health and medicine, menopause, anxiety, hormone therapy, estrogen, perimenopause, postmenopause, neuroendocrinology, women’s health