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ACOG Updates Menopause Treatment Guidelines
· Confirmed
In Short: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has updated its guidelines for menopause symptoms, offering broader options including nonhormonal treatments.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has updated its guidelines for the treatment of symptoms commonly associated with menopause, marking the first update since 2014.
According to Catherine Cansino, MD, MPH, an obstetrician/gynecologist and co-author of the new guidance, the breadth of options available now allows for a more individualized approach to patient care.
Robert Kauffman, MD, MSCP, another co-author, emphasized that hormone therapy remains the best option for newly menopausal women within 10 years of their final menstrual period or before the age of 60.
The new guidelines highlight nonhormonal options such as Veozah (fezolinetant) and Lynkuet (elinzanetant), both approved by the FDA to treat hot flashes.
Additionally, the guidelines underscore the importance of addressing sleep disturbances, which affect an estimated 40% to 60% of menopausal women, according to Astellas.
The updated guidelines also reflect the growing availability of biologic therapies and newer oral agents, reshaping treatment goals in various conditions.
In a separate development, the FDA has approved Brytly, a nonprescription eye drop solution for eye redness caused by minor irritations.
Brytly, manufactured by Alcon, is the first over-the-counter eye drop containing apraclonidine and is approved for adults and children ages 12 and older.
The FDA advises patients to remove contact lenses before using Brytly and to wait at least 10 minutes after applying the drops before reinserting them.
While these updates offer more options for patients, experts caution that adherence to treatment regimens remains crucial.
Dr. Cansino warned that many 'false failures' result from poor adherence, underdosing, incorrect dosing frequency, interruptions in dispensing, or an erroneous differential diagnosis.
What's confirmed
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has updated its guidelines for the treatment of symptoms commonly associated with menopause, marking the first update since 2014.
- According to Catherine Cansino, MD, MPH, an obstetrician/gynecologist and co-author of the new guidance, the breadth of options available now allows for a more individualized approach to patient care.
- Robert Kauffman, MD, MSCP, another co-author, emphasized that hormone therapy remains the best option for newly menopausal women within 10 years of their final menstrual period or before the age of 60.
- The new guidelines highlight nonhormonal options such as Veozah (fezolinetant) and Lynkuet (elinzanetant), both approved by the FDA to treat hot flashes.
- Additionally, the guidelines underscore the importance of addressing sleep disturbances, which affect an estimated 40% to 60% of menopausal women, according to Astellas.
- The updated guidelines also reflect the growing availability of biologic therapies and newer oral agents, reshaping treatment goals in various conditions.
- In a separate development, the FDA has approved Brytly, a nonprescription eye drop solution for eye redness caused by minor irritations.
- Brytly, manufactured by Alcon, is the first over-the-counter eye drop containing apraclonidine and is approved for adults and children ages 12 and older.
- The FDA advises patients to remove contact lenses before using Brytly and to wait at least 10 minutes after applying the drops before reinserting them.
- While these updates offer more options for patients, experts caution that adherence to treatment regimens remains crucial.
- Dr. Cansino warned that many 'false failures' result from poor adherence, underdosing, incorrect dosing frequency, interruptions in dispensing, or an erroneous differential diagnosis.
What's still developing
- Gevalka, one of the approved medicines, is a targeted treatment for adults with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is positive for the ALK marker.
- The EMA's approval of these new treatments underscores ongoing efforts to combat lung and ovarian cancers.
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- "Our research indicates that, due to its existing approval and safety profile, amlodipine could be rapidly redeployed as a treatment option for ADHD, potentially providing relief to patients sooner than developing new medications."
- The FDA has approved new first-line zanidatamab-based treatment options for certain people with HER2-positive advanced stomach, gastroesophageal junction, and esophageal cancers.
- Testing a tumor for HER2 can help the cancer care team determine whether a HER2-targeted treatment may be appropriate.
- New Kaiser Permanente research shows that a clinical pharmacist with diabetes management expertise who contacts patients to discuss hypoglycemia and alternative treatment options can effectively move patients on to safer treatment regimens.
- When the study began, 74% of the patients in both groups had treatment regimens that included medications that could increase their risk for hypoglycemia.
- Since joining Mayo, Dr. Oskarsson has helped translate advances in ALS genetics into treatment research, contributing to the first approved treatment of genetic ALS.
- "It speaks to the power of science and how far genetically targeted treatments have come."
- Always take Tukysa exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to and continue taking it alongside your other prescribed maintenance treatments.
- Treatment with fezolinetant (Veoza; Astellas) was associated with statistically significant improvements in bothersome vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and in both patient-reported and objectively measured sleep outcomes as early as week 4, according to a preliminary analysis of the phase 4 OPTION-VMS real-world study presented at the 2026 International Menopause Society (IMS) 20th World Congress on Menopause.