About the Menopause Research Act of 2022

Background:

Currently, 50 million women in the U.S. are between the ages of 42 and 58 (mid-life), the typical age group who experience physical changes caused by menopause. Of this group, 85% report experiencing menopause-related symptoms (NIH National Library of Medicine).

Women are in Menopause in the United States making up 20 percent of the workforce; overall 75 million women are in perimenopause, menopause and post-menopausal

75 percent of women who seek care are left untreated by their doctors

Legislative Solution: Refocus the NIH to invest in menopause research, mid-life women’s health research, and finding new treatments for the symptoms of menopause. Provide funding certainty so new, long-term research can be conducted.

What the Bill Does:

• Directs the Director of NIH to evaluate the results of completed and ongoing menopause research, and research on mid-life women’s health

• Directs the NIH to determine the safety and effectiveness of treatments for women who experience menopause-related symptoms.

• Directs the NIH to identify the total amount of funding allocated for menopause-related research, and research on mid-life women’s health over the previous 5 fiscal years.

• Directs the NIH to identify and gaps in knowledge or research of the above.

• Requires the NIH to submit a report to Congress on the findings of the evaluation detailed above.

• Requires the NIH to submit a strategic plan to resolve the gaps in knowledge and identify topics of future research relating to potential treatments for menopause-related symptoms.

• Authorizes $100 million so the NIH can conduct or support new menopause research, or research on mid-life women’s health.