Lawmakers across the country are advancing legislation to expand menopause care and workplace protections, driven by shifting cultural attitudes and new scientific evidence. According to the National Menopause Foundation, more than 60 pieces of menopause-related legislation have been introduced nationwide this year, with 26 states having enacted such laws since 2019.
The Turning Point
Cultural momentum shifted significantly after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration removed its most severe “black box” warning from hormone replacement therapy in November. The warning removal followed new research showing that presumed risks of cancer, stroke and dementia, once thought to be high, stemmed from a flawed study. This decision has sparked renewed interest in the therapy, though it has also contributed to nationwide shortages of certain products such as the estrogen patch.
Legislative Categories
Menopause occurs typically between ages 45 and 55 and triggers hormonal changes that cause hot flashes, night sweats, joint problems, bone density loss, insomnia, mood changes and more. New state legislation falls into four categories: mandating insurance coverage for treatments, requiring workplace accommodations, funding awareness campaigns, and requiring healthcare provider education. Support is bipartisan, with liberal-leaning states like Illinois, Oregon and Washington, as well as conservative Louisiana, approving bills requiring insurance coverage.
Insurance and Access Gaps
The National Menopause Foundation founder Claire Gill highlighted a critical gap: bone density tests are only covered under existing laws when a person reaches 65 and becomes eligible for Medicare. Women lose up to 20% of bone density in the first five years after menopause, which occurs at an average age of 52. Rhode Island became the first state in June 2025 to require workplace accommodations for menopause symptoms, a model now spreading to other states. New Jersey signed comprehensive insurance mandate legislation into law in January.
Federal Research Concerns
Gill noted that the entire budget for women’s health research under the National Institutes of Health has long been about 10% of its total budget. A recent Washington Post report showed a 31% decrease in projects funded in 2025 that contained the word “women.”
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.arcamax.com/healthtips/s-4205357