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Senators bring back a $275 million bill for menopause research and training
The Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women's Health Act would fund menopause research at the NIH, train more clinicians and run a national awareness campaign. Here is what is in it and where it stands.
What happened
On 12 May 2026, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Washington) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) reintroduced the Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women's Health Act (S.4503), with 18 cosponsors. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-New York) introduced the House version on 2 June. The bill was first introduced in 2024 and did not pass.
It would authorize $275 million over five years:
- $125 million for NIH research on menopause and mid-life women's health, from basic science to clinical trials
- $50 million for prevention and public health programs
- $50 million for a national awareness and education campaign
- $50 million to improve how doctors, nurses and other clinicians are trained in menopause care
It would also create Centers of Excellence in Menopause and Mid-Life Women's Health, add menopause as its own category in federal research tracking, and ask the Department of Health and Human Services to report on gaps in care, including in rural areas. Groups backing the bill include the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Endocrine Society. It has been referred to committee and has not had a vote.
Why it matters
The sponsors point to a large gap between how many people menopause affects and how prepared the health system is. About 75 million women in the US are in perimenopause, menopause or after it, and about 6,000 more reach menopause every day. Yet, according to the sponsors, only 30% of US residency programs teach a formal menopause curriculum, and 80% of OB-GYN residents say they feel ill-prepared to discuss it.
The research gap matters for supplements too. Many ingredients sold for menopause have only small or short trials behind them, which is why so many questions about doses and forms are still open. More funded research, including on non-hormonal options, would give women and their doctors better evidence to work with.
What it means for you
Nothing changes yet: the bill has to pass both chambers and then receive funding. If menopause care matters to you, the bill number is S.4503 in the Senate, and you can follow it on Congress.gov or tell your senators what you think.
In the meantime, if you are dealing with symptoms, it is worth asking your doctor directly about all your options, hormonal and non-hormonal, and asking what the evidence is for any supplement you are considering.
Sources
- Sen. Patty Murray, "Senators Murray, Murkowski, Other Women Senators Reintroduce Historic Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Menopause Research" (May 2026)
- Congress.gov, S.4503: Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women's Health Act
- Rep. Yvette Clarke, House companion bill (2 June 2026)
We summarise news in our own words and link to the original reporting and the primary sources. This is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before starting or changing any supplement.