As Costs Climb and Confidence Falls, 93% of Women Call for Change in How We View and Support Menopause
BRIDGEWATER, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Menopause is not only a medical transition, but also a personal reckoning for many women marked by shame, confusion and feeling left behind by the healthcare system. Despite growing consumer interest in hormone replacement therapy (HRT), many enter this phase of life feeling dismissed and devalued. New data released by The HRT Club, a leading pioneer of direct-to-consumer hormone replacement therapies, shows that one-third (32.8%) of American peri/menopausal women feel ugly and less valuable as they age, while another 28.9% say this was the first time they ever felt old. Women aren't just experiencing hormonal shifts, they're losing confidence in how they're seen, supported and treated. Women shouldn't have to feel less valuable during menopause, and they wouldn't, if armed with the right education, care and support.
When it comes to HRT, most women are not properly informed, with over half (53.5%) saying they aren't familiar with HRT. But once educated, the majority (80.3%) express either a neutral or positive opinion.
Share
Interest is high, but awareness is lagging
When it comes to HRT, most women are not properly informed, with over half (53.5%) saying they aren't familiar with HRT. But once educated, the majority (80.3%) express either a neutral or positive opinion. 30.9% of respondents say they would've done more research had they known what to expect, while 29.1% would've sought help sooner and 22.4% wish they had started treatment earlier. 44.6% have never spoken to a doctor about treatment options at all.
Transformative benefits of HRT
Among women who've used HRT, the benefits are clear:
76.5% say HRT got their life back on track
63.9% felt better within three months
17.8% say they're having the best sex of their life
These numbers suggest both therapeutic value and meaningful improvement in day-to-day life.
Cost and coverage are barriers to feeling better
Access and affordability remain persistent challenges for women seeking menopause care. Nearly 93% of women believe HRT should be more accessible and affordable, with two-thirds calling for lower prices and more than half citing the need for better insurance coverage. Among those who considered or began treatment, 60.5% said cost influenced their decision not to try HRT and 18.1% stopped using it because of the expense.
Even for those who pursued treatment, the path was not always straightforward. 45% had their insurance fully or partially deny the prescription, while nearly 60% ended up paying out of pocket. Additionally, 38.7% reported difficulty getting a prescription from their doctor and 40.5% said insurance coverage posed a significant hurdle. These numbers underscore a critical gap between consumer interest and the healthcare system's ability to meet it.
Clinical confusion continues to undermine HRT
Beyond the financial burden, cultural and medical stigmas persist. Among HRT users, 32.4% were actively discouraged from trying it by a healthcare professional. This lack of clinical support leaves many women on their own. In fact, 81.7% of HRT users had to research menopause independently and only 12.7% felt their doctor provided the information they needed. Not surprisingly, 50.8% found online information confusing and 36.5% believe misinformation shaped their perception of HRT.
'The American healthcare system puts the burden on women to educate themselves, self-advocate and often pay out-of-pocket just to feel like themselves again,' said Cyrille Labourel, CEO of The HRT Club. 'We built our model to restore confidence and eliminate barriers. No insurance, no middlemen, just access to educated providers and clinically-appropriate treatments at an affordable cost.'
The HRT Club offers a direct path to treatment
With a nationwide network of HRT-knowledgeable physicians, The HRT Club eliminates traditional barriers to care. The platform provides affordable, physician-prescribed treatments without the need for insurance, along with personalized care plans and science-backed education. Women deserve better and The HRT Club is redefining what's possible.
Learn more at https://thehrtclub.com.
Methodology
The HRT Club commissioned a nationwide survey with Propeller Insights, polling 1,000 U.S. women aged 45 to 60 in April 2025 to evaluate their knowledge, perceptions and experiences surrounding menopause, hormone replacement therapy and access to care.
About Propeller Insights
Propeller Insights is a full-service market research firm based in Los Angeles. Using quantitative and qualitative methodologies to measure and analyze marketplace and consumer opinions, they work extensively across industries such as travel, brand intelligence, entertainment/media, retail and consumer packaged goods.
About The HRT Club
The HRT Club is on a mission to make hormonal treatments accessible to everyone. Since its launch in April 2024, The HRT Club has quickly become the leading doctor-recommended platform for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). With a network of over 1,300 prescribers and strategic partnerships across the healthcare industry, we are transforming how people access and afford hormonal treatments. Our members enjoy savings of up to 90% on their HRT prescriptions, ensuring that life-changing care is within reach for all who need it. For more information, visit https://thehrtclub.com.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Wire
an hour ago
- Business Wire
ICD 2025: New data demonstrate Nemluvio ® 's (nemolizumab) favorable safety profile and sustained and clinically meaningful improvements in symptoms of prurigo nodularis up to two years
ZUG, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Galderma (SIX: GALD) today announced data from a new interim analysis of a study investigating the long-term safety and efficacy of Nemluvio in moderate-to-severe prurigo nodularis. The new data show Nemluvio is well tolerated and associated with sustained and clinically meaningful improvements in symptoms including itch and skin lesions, during prolonged treatment up to two years. 1 These new data will be presented as a late-breaking session at ICD, on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 08:30 AM CET. Prurigo nodularis is a chronic, debilitating, and distinct neuroimmune skin disease characterized by the presence of intense itch and thick skin nodules, which have a substantial impact on patients' quality of life. 5-7 Nemluvio is the first approved monoclonal antibody that specifically targets the IL-31 receptor alpha, inhibiting the signaling of IL-31. 8,9,10 IL-31 is a neuroimmune cytokine that drives itch and is involved in inflammation, skin barrier dysfunction, and fibrosis in prurigo nodularis. 8-11 It is also the first and only biologic approved for prurigo nodularis as well as atopic dermatitis with four-week dosing intervals from the start of treatment. 9,10 The OLYMPIA long-term extension study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of Nemluvio in patients with prurigo nodularis up to four years and includes 508 patients from the phase II trial or the phase III OLYMPIA 1 and 2 trials. 1 Results show that treatment with Nemluvio is associated with sustained and clinically meaningful improvements in symptoms of prurigo nodularis during prolonged treatment up to two years. 1 At Week 100 in evaluable patients, the interim analysis shows that: More than 90% and 70% achieved at least a four-point improvement in itch, and being itch free or nearly itch free respectively, as measured by the Peak-Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale 1 At least 80% achieved 76‑100% healed pruriginous lesions 1 Approximately 75% reached clearance or almost-clearance of skin nodules when assessed using the Investigator's Global Assessment score 1 Nemluvio was well tolerated in the long-term treatment of prurigo nodularis and no new safety signals were identified in this study to date. 1 'These impressive results give us even more confidence in the value of nemolizumab – a much-needed innovative medicine that has the potential to deeply impact the prurigo nodularis treatment landscape. With this new treatment now approved in multiple markets including the EU and U.S., I'm thrilled to be able to see its meaningful impact in the real world.' PROF. SONJA STÄNDER Expand This follows presentation of results from the ARCADIA long-term extension study at the RAD Conference earlier this month, which showed that treatment with Nemluvio was well tolerated and associated with sustained and increased improvements in symptoms of atopic dermatitis during prolonged treatment up to two years. 4 Nemluvio was first approved in August 2024 by the United States Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) for the treatment of adults with prurigo nodularis. 9 In December 2024, it was also approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of patients 12 years and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, in combination with topical corticosteroids and/or calcineurin inhibitors when the disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies. 9 To date, Nemluvio is approved for both moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis by multiple regulatory authorities around the world, including the European Commission. Additional reviews and submissions are ongoing. Galderma will also host a symposium at ICD, exploring the latest advances in addressing itch in both prurigo nodularis and atopic dermatitis. Separately, the company will share new data from across its Therapeutic Dermatology portfolio in acne, non-melanoma skin cancer, and rosacea. More details on Galderma's scientific presentations at ICD can be found here. About Nemluvio Nemluvio was initially developed by Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. In 2016, Galderma obtained exclusive rights to the development and marketing of nemolizumab worldwide, except in Japan. In Japan, nemolizumab is marketed as Mitchga ® and is approved for the treatment of prurigo nodularis, as well as pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis in pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients. 12,13 About prurigo nodularis Prurigo nodularis is a chronic, debilitating, and distinct neuroimmune skin disease characterized by the presence of intense itch and thick skin nodules covering large body areas. 5-7 It is an underrecognized and underdiagnosed skin condition, and there are limited studies investigating its prevalence. 11,14,15 About Galderma Galderma (SIX: GALD) is the pure-play dermatology category leader, present in approximately 90 countries. We deliver an innovative, science-based portfolio of premium flagship brands and services that span the full spectrum of the fast-growing dermatology market through Injectable Aesthetics, Dermatological Skincare and Therapeutic Dermatology. Since our foundation in 1981, we have dedicated our focus and passion to the human body's largest organ – the skin – meeting individual consumer and patient needs with superior outcomes in partnership with healthcare professionals. Because we understand that the skin we are in shapes our lives, we are advancing dermatology for every skin story. For more information: References Ständer S, et a. Nemolizumab long-term efficacy and safety up to 100 weeks in the OLYMPIA open-label extension study in patients with prurigo nodularis: An interim analysis. Presented at International Congress of Dermatology; June 18-21, 2025; Rome, Italy. A Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Nemolizumab (CD14152) in Participants With Prurigo Nodularis (PN) (NCT04501679). Available online. Accessed May 2025 Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Nemolizumab (CD14152) in Participants With Prurigo Nodularis (PN) (NCT04501666). Available online. Accessed May 2025 Silverberg, JI, et al. Nemolizumab long-term safety and efficacy up to 104 weeks in the ARCADIA open-label extension study in adolescents and adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Presented at Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis Conference 2025; June 6-7; Nashville, United States. Huang AH, et al. Prurigo nodularis: epidemiology and clinical features. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;83(6):1559-1565. doi: 10.1016/ Pereira MP, et al. European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology European prurigo project: expert consensus on the definition, classification and terminology of chronic prurigo. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32(7):1059-1065. doi: 10.1111/jdv.14570 Ständer S, et al. IFSI-guideline on chronic prurigo including prurigo nodularis. Itch. 2020;5(4):e42. doi: 10.1097/itx.0000000000000042 Silverberg JI, et al. Phase 2B randomized study of nemolizumab in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and severe pruritus. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2020;145(1):173-182. doi: 10.1016/ Nemluvio U.S. Prescribing Information. Available online. Accessed May 2025 Nemluvio European Medicines Agency. Summary of Product Characteristics. Available online. Accessed May 2025 Bewley A, et al. Prurigo Nodularis: A Review of IL-31RA Blockade and Other Potential Treatments. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022;12(9):2039–2048. doi: 10.1007/s13555-022-00782-2 Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Maruho Obtained Regulatory Approval for Mitchga, the first Antibody Targeting IL-31 for Itching Associated with Atopic Dermatitis. Available online. Accessed May 2025 Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Mitchga Approved for Itching in Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis and Prurigo Nodularis, for its Subcutaneous Injection 30mg Vials. Available online. Accessed May 2025 Ständer S, et al. Prevalence of prurigo nodularis in the United States of America: a retrospective database analysis. JAAD Int. 2020;2:28-30. doi: 10.1016/ Huang AH, et al. Real-world prevalence of prurigo nodularis and burden of associated diseases. J Invest Dermatol.
USA Today
7 hours ago
- USA Today
RFK Jr. faces blowback from senators, former vaccine committee members after firings
RFK Jr. faces blowback from senators, former vaccine committee members after firings Show Caption Hide Caption RFK Jr. expels entire CDC vaccine advisory committee Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. removed a 17-member panel at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that issues recommendations on vaccines. unbranded - Newsworthy Recently fired members of a committee that advises the federal government on immunization safety lashed out at Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., saying that their terminations will limit access to vaccines and put American lives at risk. Kennedy last week abruptly dismissed all members of the committee, which advises the Centers for Diseases Control on vaccine safety. Two days after he dissolved the committee on June 9, Kennedy named eight new members to the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, including some who have advocated against vaccines. "We are deeply concerned that these destabilizing decisions, made without clear rationale, may roll back the achievements of U.S. immunization policy, impact people's access to lifesaving vaccines, and ultimately put U.S. families at risk of dangerous and preventable illnesses,' the 17 former members wrote in an article published in medical journal JAMA on June 16. The ACIP charter specifies that committee members serve overlapping terms to ensure continuity - and dismissing all the members at the same time 'have stripped the program of the institutional knowledge and continuity that have been essential to its success over decades,' wrote the members, whose committee recommendations also affect insurance coverage and safeguard broad access for vaccines. In announcing his decision to oust the members, Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, claimed a 'clean sweep' was necessary to reestablish public confidence in vaccine science. The committee would 'no longer function as a rubber stamp for industry profit-taking agendas,' he said. That was the opposite of what Kennedy told Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, during his confirmation hearing to become Trump's cabinet member. "If confirmed, he will maintain the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices without changes," Cassidy said during the hearing. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions called for an immediate bipartisan investigation into the terminations. 'For decades, Secretary Kennedy has spread lies and dangerous conspiracy theories about safe and effective vaccines that have saved millions of lives,' Sanders wrote in a letter to Cassidy. 'Unfortunately, since he has been confirmed I am very concerned that Secretary Kennedy is doubling down on his war on science and disinformation campaign that will lead to preventable illness and death.' Additionally, 22 senators, including Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, and Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia, wrote a joint letter to Kennedy saying they are 'troubled' by the appointment of several members to the committee who have a 'documented history of anti-vaccine ideology and peddling misinformation.' Dr. Robert Malone, one of the new Kenendy appointees is a virologist and vaccine skeptic who became well-known during the COVID-19 pandemic for spreading misinformation about the virus on conservative shows and podcasts. The physician-scientist and biochemist has falsely claimed spike proteins from COVID-19 mRNA vaccines often cause permanent damage to children's vital organs. Firing every member of the committee ahead of their next meeting scheduled for June 25-27 'eliminates the advisory board's ability to debate and make well-informed recommendations, putting American lives at risk,' the senators wrote. Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House Correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal
Business Wire
7 hours ago
- Business Wire
Align Technology Launches Integrated Consumer and Professional Brand Campaign Focused on Invisalign ® Treatment for Kids and Teens
TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Align Technology, Inc. ('Align') (Nasdaq: ALGN) a leading global medical device company that designs, manufactures, and sells the Invisalign ® System of clear aligners, iTero™ intraoral scanners, and exocad™ CAD/CAM software for digital orthodontics and restorative dentistry, today announced integrated global professional and consumer campaigns to highlight the unique needs of growing patients and treatment options for meeting those needs and creating new smiles with the Invisalign clear aligner system. As the leader in digital orthodontics, Align has developed an extensive end-to-end portfolio that helps doctors treat a range of case types including the most complex cases, and growing patients and kids as young as 6. Share 'We are proud to launch these complementary Invisalign ® brand campaigns about the kid and teen-friendly orthodontic solutions from the #1 doctor-recommended clear aligner brand, 1 ' said Kamal Bhandal, senior vice president, Global Brand, Consumer and Americas Marketing. 'Our new 'Invisalign for Kids' brand consumer campaign is designed to increase awareness with parents that Invisalign aligners are an effective solution for kids and educate parents about the benefits of Invisalign treatment for kids and teens, including Invisalign ® Palatal Expander System, Invisalign First™, Invisalign ® System with mandibular advancement, as well as Invisalign ® Virtual Care to help parents monitor progress – all designed to deliver predictable results and a positive experience for growing children.' The aspects of Invisalign treatment, from Phase 1 to comprehensive Phase 2, to retention are designed for predictable results and a positive experience while addressing the unique needs of growing children. And with Invisalign aligners, children can enjoy their favorite foods, keep up their oral hygiene, maintain an active lifestyle, and smile and build their confidence. At the same time, our companion Invisalign 'Growing Patients' professional campaign provides doctors with information and awareness about the dedicated range of Invisalign treatment options designed specifically for children and teens from well-established products such as Invisalign First™ aligners to the latest additions in the growing patient product portfolio, including the Invisalign ® Palatal Expander System and Invisalign ® System with mandibular advancement featuring occlusal blocks ('MAOB'). Doctors can use the Invisalign System to treat nearly any orthodontic case, from children through teens to adults, at the different stages of their growth. Even with some baby teeth, it may be the perfect time for children ages 6 to 10 to start Phase 1 orthodontic treatment. According to the American Association of Orthodontists ('AAO'), children should get screened by an orthodontist by age 7. 2 Phase 1 treatment takes advantage of a child's normal development to help bones in the face and mouth grow correctly and reduce the need for more extensive treatment later. Once most permanent teeth are in place, Phase 2 treatment focuses on ensuring teeth are in their proper place for a healthy bite and a pleasing appearance. 3 'As kids and teens age and grow, orthodontic treatment needs to address both tooth movement and dental facial orthopedic or skeletal movement,' said Dr. Mitra Derakhshan, executive vice president, chief clinical officer, Global Treatment Planning and Clinical Services. 'As the leader in digital orthodontics, Align has developed an extensive end-to-end portfolio that helps doctors treat a range of case types including the most complex cases, and growing patients and kids as young as 6. I believe our new 'Invisalign for Kids' brand and 'Growing Patients' campaigns will help increase confidence in Invisalign treatment for the largest segment of the orthodontic market and drive further adoption among growing patients.' This latest announcement is part of Align's long-term investment in the growing patients' segment of the market which has included multiple innovation milestones over 20 million smiles. Overview of Invisalign products for growing patients: 2008: Invisalign ® Teen – Teen specific features to address patient compliance, natural eruption of permanent teeth, and root-movement control – issues that are common in treatment of younger patients. 2017: Invisalign ® System with mandibular advancement – the first clear aligner solution designed for simultaneous Class II correction and alignment in growing tween and teen patients and Invisalign ® System with mandibular advancement featuring enhanced precision wings. 2018: Invisalign First™ – the first clear aligner treatment with features designed specifically to address a broad range of indications in mixed-dentition patients, including shorter clinical crowns, management of erupting dentition, and predictable dental arch expansion. 2023: Invisalign ® Palatal Expander System –Align's first direct 3D printed orthodontic device, provides a safe, comfortable, and clinically effective 4 alternative to traditional palatal expanders that require manually turning a screw in the device in the mouth daily to achieve skeletal expansion. 2025: Invisalign ® System with mandibular advancement featuring occlusal blocks – Align's first clear aligner product with integrated solid occlusal blocks that delivers predictable mandibular advancement. Invisalign occlusal blocks provide durability, improve engagement, and enable vertical opening to offer earlier advancement of the mandible in cases like Class II deep bite to improve treatment efficiency. 'Our commitment is to support our doctors in treating patients through every step of their journey – from first visit to a lasting smile. More than 28 years of anonymized data from more than 20 million Invisalign ® patients treated globally have helped Align develop our integrated suite of innovative products and solutions that enable doctors to treat patients over their continuum of care,' said Michael Smith, Align vice president, Product Management. 'This new integrated campaign highlights the unique product offerings within our growing patient portfolio and how we are innovating in digital orthodontics to empower doctors to transform smiles and change lives.' 1. Based on a global survey of 1,786 doctors (dentists and orthodontists who use clear aligners) by IQVIA in NA, EMEA, LATAM, and APAC. Data on File at Align Technology, as of June 30, 2022. 2. American Academy of Orthodontists. The Right Time: When Should Your Child See an Orthodontist? ( Accessed 2/26/24. 3. American Academy of Orthodontists. Embarking on a Two Phase Orthodontic Adventure ( Accessed 2/28/24. 4. Based on a survey in August 2023 in Canada of 10 Invisalign trained orthodontists who participated in the Invisalign Palatal Expander System Technical Design Assessment and have treated at least 1 patient age 6-11 years with IPE. Data on file at Align Technology, Inc. as of October 30, 2023. About Align Technology, Inc. Align Technology designs and manufactures the Invisalign ® System, the most advanced clear aligner system in the world, iTero™ intraoral scanners and services, and exocad™ CAD/CAM software. These technology building blocks enable enhanced digital orthodontic and restorative workflows to improve patient outcomes and practice efficiencies for over 281.4 thousand doctor customers and are key to accessing Align's 600 million consumer market opportunity worldwide. Over the past 28 years, Align has helped doctors treat over 20.1 million patients with the Invisalign System and is driving the evolution in digital dentistry through the Align™ Digital Platform, our integrated suite of unique, proprietary technologies and services delivered as a seamless, end-to-end solution for patients and consumers, orthodontists and GP dentists, and lab/partners. Visit for more information. For additional information about the Invisalign System or to find an Invisalign doctor in your area, please visit For additional information about the iTero digital scanning system, please visit For additional information about exocad dental CAD/CAM offerings and a list of exocad reseller partners, please visit Invisalign, iTero, exocad, Align, Align Digital Platform and iTero Lumina are trademarks of Align Technology, Inc.
