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CBS News
a day ago
- Health
- CBS News
Fighting the fire within: How I managed menopausal hot flashes
Sponsored and provided by Astellas. Pam is a real VEOZAH (fezolinetant) patient who has been compensated by Astellas. Please keep reading to see Important Safety Information, including BOXED WARNING. Like many women, Pam is always on the go. At 51 years old, she's a busy director of a rural health clinic, a full-time graduate student, and a mother of four. Recently, Pam's life was further complicated by the onset of menopause, which brought hot flashes and night sweats, causing her to wake ten times a night.* Sleepless nights because of her night sweats occurred along with frequent hot flashes during the day – at work, at school, and while spending time with her family and friends. [1] "It feels like you're burning from the inside out," said Pam. "I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy." [1] After more than a year of discomfort, Pam talked to her healthcare professional about her symptoms and learned that this new challenge she was experiencing was moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS), or hot flashes and night sweats, due to menopause. [1] Nearly half of women in the U.S. going through menopause may experience moderate to severe VMS due to menopause. [2] Hot flashes manifest as sudden and intense sensations of heat in the upper body, sometimes accompanied by sweating, reddening skin, chills, and a rapid heartbeat. [1] Hot flashes classified as moderate in severity are described as a sensation of heat with sweating, while severe hot flashes consist of a sensation of heat with sweating, causing cessation of activity. [1] As Pam knows all too well, these symptoms can impact many aspects of a woman's life, from sleep to work to personal relationships. [3] Despite so many women in the U.S experiencing VMS due to menopause, many don't openly talk about their struggles or seek help in managing symptoms due to shame or embarrassment. [2,4,5] Pam was lucky to have a supportive environment with her colleagues and loved ones to talk openly about her symptoms, and they encouraged her to talk to her healthcare professional about treatment options. After speaking with her healthcare professional about treatment options and doing further research, Pam learned about VEOZAH™, a hormone-free prescription treatment for moderate to severe VMS due to menopause, which is the first FDA-approved treatment designed to block a source of hot flashes directly. [5,6] VEOZAH blocks the binding of neurokinin B, a brain chemical known to trigger hot flashes. [1,7] Encouraged by her family, Pam asked her healthcare professional about VEOZAH to determine if it was the right treatment for her. Her healthcare provider talked to her about the benefits and advised her that VEOZAH can cause serious side effects, including liver problems. [6] Her healthcare professional advised her that she would get a blood test prior to and while taking VEOZAH, and to stop taking VEOZAH right away if she has signs or symptoms of liver problems such as feeling more tired than usual, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, itching, yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice), pale feces, dark urine, or pain in the stomach (abdomen). [6] See additional Important Safety Information, including BOXED WARNING, below. [6] Once Pam decided with her healthcare professional to move forward with VEOZAH, her healthcare professional gave her a prescription and sample at no cost. VEOZAH is proven to reduce the number and severity of hot flashes day and night based on clinical studies measuring efficacy at 4 and 12 weeks. [6] While everyone's experience differs, Pam had fewer and less severe hot flashes and night sweats within a few weeks after starting VEOZAH. [8,9] "The impact of having fewer hot flashes and night sweats on my day-to-day life as a student, wife, and working mom has been great," commented Pam. "I also found the VEOZAH Savings Card to be tremendously helpful. Since I am commercially insured and eligible for the Savings Card, it lowered how much I pay out of pocket." Pam is one of many women who have taken VEOZAH since it was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May of 2023. [6,10,11] Dr. Risa Kagan, a board-certified OBGYN, and The Menopause Society-certified practitioner, as well as a clinical professor at UCSF and gynecologist at Sutter Health, is grateful to have another option to offer her patients. [6] "Women have long endured hot flashes and night sweats due to menopause with few treatment options available, so the approval of VEOZAH in 2023 has been an important addition to available treatments," noted Kagan. [6,9] "As a physician, I see firsthand the impact that these symptoms can have on a woman's life – both personally and professionally – and it's rewarding to have this nonhormonal, first-of-its-kind option available that may help appropriate patients." [3,5,6] Dr. Kagan recommends women work closely with their healthcare professional to find the best treatment for them to manage their hot flashes and night sweats due to menopause. [1] It is important that women and their healthcare professional have the ability to choose what's right for them based on their individual medical history and personal choices. However, due to insurance challenges, such as prior authorizations or step therapy with "fail first" requirements, accessing prescribed medications is not always straightforward. Astellas is actively working to educate payers to ensure that their utilization management policies are well-grounded in clinical practice and do not impose unnecessary burdens on patients. Despite its universal impact and the fact that all women who reach midlife will experience menopause, related symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats are often underappreciated and overlooked. [4,12] "It's high time that the U.S. healthcare system acknowledges the burden of hot flashes and night sweats due to menopause on women and prioritize access to medicines that have the potential to help alleviate that burden," said Dr. Kagan. [3] "I strongly encourage women to talk to their healthcare professionals about their experience with hot flashes and night sweats due to menopause that may be affecting their day-to-day lives. [3] Your wellbeing matters, and you are not alone in your menopause journey." [2] Women should consult with their healthcare professional to determine if VEOZAH is the right treatment for them. [6] Patients should also understand the details of their health insurance policy, such as which treatments are covered, coverage restrictions and limits, and exclusions. For instance, a patient's insurance may require prior authorization to cover VEOZAH, which can be provided to their insurance company by their healthcare professional. Women taking VEOZAH with commercial insurance coverage may be eligible for the VEOZAH Savings Card. To learn about the applicable terms and conditions and enroll, patients should visit VEOZAH Support Solutions. What is VEOZAH™ (fezolinetant)? VEOZAH is a prescription medicine used to reduce moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause. VEOZAH is not a hormone. Vasomotor symptoms are the feelings of warmth in the face, neck, and chest, or sudden intense feelings of heat and sweating ("hot flashes" or "hot flushes"). IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about VEOZAH? VEOZAH can cause serious side effects, including: Stop VEOZAH right away and call your healthcare provider if you have the following signs or symptoms of liver problems: Do not use VEOZAH if you: Before you use VEOZAH, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the- counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. VEOZAH may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how VEOZAH works. The most common side effects of VEOZAH include: These are not all the possible side effects of VEOZAH. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit or call 1-800- FDA-1088. Please see full Prescribing Information and Patient Information, including BOXED WARNING. *Individual experiences with moderate to severe VMS (also known as hot flashes and night sweats), due to menopause, may vary. [1] References 1. Thurston RC. Vasomotor symptoms. In: Crandall CJ, Bachman GA, Faubion SS, et al, eds. Menopause Practice: A Clinician's Guide. 6th ed. The North American Menopause Society; 2019:43-55. 2. Freeman EW, Sammel MD, Sanders RJ. Risk of long-term hot flashes after natural menopause: evidence from the Penn Ovarian Aging Study cohort. Menopause. 2014;21(9):924-932. 3. English M, Stoykova B, Slota C, et al. Qualitative study: burden of menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and validation of PROMIS sleep disturbance and sleep-related impairment measures for assessment of VMS impact on sleep. J Patient Rep Outcomes 2021;5(37):1-13. Erratum in: J Patient Rep Outcomes 2021;5:42 4. Nosek M, Kenedy HP, Gudmundsdottir M. Silence, stigma, and shame: a postmodern analysis of distress during menopause. ANS Adv Nurs Sci. 2010;33(3):E24-E36. doi: 10.1097/ANS.0b013e3181eb41e8. 5. The North American Menopause Society. The 2023 nonhormone therapy position statement of the North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2023;30(6):573-590. 6. Veozah [package insert]. Northbrook, IL: Astellas Pharma US, Inc. 7. Jayasena CN, Comninos AN, Stefanopoulou E, et al. Neurokinin B administration induces hot flushes in women [published online February 16, 2015]. Sci Rep. 2015. 8. Johnson KA, Martin N, Nappi RE, et al. Efficacy and safety of fezolinetant in moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause: a phase 3 RCT. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023;108(8):1981-1997. 9. Lederman S, Ottery FD, Cano A, et al. Fezolinetant for treatment of moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause (SKYLIGHT 1): a phase 3 randomised controlled study. Lancet. 2023;401(10382):1091-1102. 10. Financial Results (FY2023) 11. Data on file. 2025. 12. Santoro NF. Menopause. In: Crandall CJ, Bachman GA, Faubion SS, et al, eds. Menopause Practice: A Clinician's Guide. 6th ed. The North American Menopause Society; 2019:1-21.
RNZ News
a day ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Waikato University promises planned medical school won't be downsized despite less govt funding
Health Minister Simeon Brown. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER Waikato University is promising its planned new medical school will not need to be downsized, despite the government putting much less money than originally expected into the project. Opposition parties, however, want the government to show how it arrived at the revised costings. In 2023, National campaigned on a $380 million school in Waikato , with the Crown putting up $280m and the university raising the remaining $100m. However, on Monday, the government confirmed it would contribute $85.25m to the school , with the university chipping in $150m, with the help of philanthropists. The revised numbers came as the result of a business case , which was secured by ACT in coalition talks. The school, which will start its four-year programme in 2028, will prioritise clinical placements in rural and regional communities. "The admissions criteria will be around graduate entry, and it will be about ensuring that the people who come forward have demonstrated commitment to rural communities," said Health Minister Simeon Brown. "That will be a key part of the admissions criteria: to make sure that we are training in place, staying in place. That's a key part of why this government's investing in it." The Rural Health Network said the school was an "exciting opportunity" to boost the much-needed rural workforce. Rural Health Network Photo: Supplied / Rural Health Network Dr Fiona Bolden, chair of Hauora Taiwhenua, said rural-origin students, who were trained rurally, and by rural health professionals, were six times more likely to work rurally than otherwise. "I think that this gives a chance for those people who may be more diverse and done other other degrees, first of all, to find a way to get through medical school," she said. "The design of the course has been set up to make sure that they are trained in long-term general practice placements, so they get to learn about continuity and the community in which they're placed." However, with the first graduates not set to enter the workforce until 2032, Dr Bolden expressed frustration it had taken this long. "We already need these people right now, we're already about 130 full-time equivalent GPs short in rural areas right now, and we only have 500 full-time equivalents in total. What that actually means is a lot more GPs than just the 130, because it's quite unusual now for someone to work a full-time equivalent because of the nature of the job and how the job's changed." Throughout the process, the country's two existing medical schools argued they could train more students at a lower cost. Reacting to the announcement, the University of Otago said it was confident it could continue to deliver high-quality medical education. "We are disappointed that government did not follow the alternative and more cost-effective option of further increasing the intakes into the country's existing medical schools," said associate professor Megan Gibbons, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Health Sciences. "However, any investment that supports growing and sustaining the health workforce is a step toward strengthening care for our communities - particularly in rural and underserved regions." The University of Auckland currently had 170 medical students at Waikato Hospital and in general practices in the region. Professor Warwick Bagg, Dean of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, said proceeding with the Waikato school was a positive signal for medical education in New Zealand. "One hundred and twenty additional doctors will in time contribute to addressing the workforce shortage. They will add to the 360-plus University of Auckland graduate doctors each year," he said. University of Auckland Medical and Health Sciences Dean, professor Warwick Bagg. Photo: Supplied Labour and the Green Party called on the government to show its working. Brown confirmed the business case would be proactively released "soon", but would not put a specific timeframe on it. Labour's health spokeperson Dr Ayesha Verrall said decisions needed to be transparent. "It's harder and more expensive to see a doctor than ever, and we need to be confident investments in medical training will deliver. It is not clear how this investment is better for New Zealand than the alternatives," she said. The Greens' tertiary education spokesperson Francisco Hernandez pointed to earlier Treasury advice which had concerns over Waikato's ability to contribute to the costs. "The government got advice that approving the Waikato medical school would raise the risk profile of Waikato University from medium to high," he said. Despite the revised costs, Hernandez expressed scepticism the project would not blow its budget. "The cost estimates have shifted so much, I wouldn't be surprised if there's scope creep down the line, and Waikato Uni ends up having to come back to the government with a begging bowl, because the cost ends up being more than what they thought it would be." Green Party tertiary education spokesperson Francisco Hernandez. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith Brown said the Tertiary Education Commission had provided advice to the Universities Minister, Dr Shane Reti, which showed Waikato was in a strong financial position, and could leverage its balance sheet. He and the Prime Minister were satisfied Waikato could meet its end of the bargain, and if the philanthropists could not come through the university had the "financial firepower" to backstop it. "They are confident, having reached out to their donors, that they've got really strong pledges to be able to support that, and we have also wanted to be reassured that those pledges are real. That's why the Treasury work happened, and why we've taken a little bit of time to work through it," Christopher Luxon said. Waikato University said its planned new medical school would not need to be downsized despite the government putting much less money into the project. University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor Professor Neil Quigley said the initial cost of the project was a high-level estimate of the maximum funding that might be needed. "It was always going to be the case that as we interrogated the costs in detail, it [the overall cost] would come down. "The costs that we've now identified are the true costs that reflect the facilities we actually need." He said the university expected its $150m contribution to be half from operating profits and half from donations. "We're a long way down the track with commitments to that level of philanthropic support already, and the university is in very good financial shape at the moment. "We're confident we can make the commitment." The university's focus would be training students who wanted to work in primary care and outside main centres, where the need was greatest, Quigley said. "We have a plan to ensure that students spend three of their four years in the medicine programme in clinical placement in rural and provincial areas." The university'sprogramme had the support of communities, doctors, and other healthcare professionals, he said. "Where we've got to today has taken a while, but probably was necessary to build the level of support needed." The university was finalising where students would go for their clinical placements with rural and regional communities. Quigley said it was about time New Zealand gave those with any undergraduate degree an easier pathway to enter medicine, in line with other countries like Australia. University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor Professor Neil Quigley. Photo: RNZ / Joanne O'Brien ACT leader David Seymour, meanwhile, was taking credit for the money saved from National's original proposal. The party had secured a commitment in its coalition agreement with National to conduct a business case before the project could go ahead. "I guess when people come to you and say 'we've figured out how to do it $200m cheaper,' it's kind of hard to say no. I think saving $200m and getting a third medical school, not a bad day," Seymour said. Luxon, on the other hand, said the decision was made as a Cabinet. "Success can have many fathers and mothers, and if everyone's feeling good about it in our government, that's fantastic," he said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
ABC News
2 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Low Medicare subsidies and staffing issues blamed for Northampton GP clinic's closure
Residents and businesses in Northampton in Western Australia's Midwest are shocked and in limbo over the announcement its only GP clinic will close. GP Tara Hamilton, who runs Northampton Doctors Surgery, shared the news on social media on Friday, announcing the practice would shut its doors at the end of July. She said minimal Medicare rebates and a lack of staff had made business "impossible to sustain". "Despite ongoing efforts for the past four years, I have been unable to recruit a doctor — locally, nationally or internationally — to continue serving our wonderful town," Dr Hamilton said. At the last federal election, the Albanese government pledged to make nine out of 10 GP visits free by the end of the decade. But the Royal Australian College of General Practicioners said increased Medicare rebates due to begin in November were unlikely to keep struggling rural clinics afloat. Kandi Thorpe's parents, who are in their 70s, retired to Northampton and bought a house within walking distance of the surgery. Ms Thorpe said the announcement came without any warning for the town's 1,000 residents. "People like my parents, that made a plan so that they could stay in their hometown." Once the clinic is shut, the closest town with doctors is 50 kilometres away in Geraldton. Ms Thorpe's mother cannot drive and her father is due to undergo knee surgery in the coming weeks. "So they're now looking at how do they get to Geraldton regularly to see a GP for all of their medical needs," she said. "There is no regular affordable public transport from Northampton to Geraldton." Northampton resident of 25 years Bec Reynolds said the shock closure was "sad for the whole community". Ms Reynolds said if people had to travel to other towns for medical services, other local businesses would also lose customers. "Obviously for the pharmacy [in Northampton], I think this will have a big effect," she said. "If we're down in Geraldton then I'll just drop in and grab a script while I'm down there because it makes sense." But Ms Reynolds said not everyone had the ability to travel. "There's quite a large aging population here so they use it for things like blood tests and I know not all of them can drive to Geraldton," she said. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners regional chair Michael Clements said the federal government's current level of Medicare investment was forcing GPs to close their doors. "We've had many years of frozen rebates and even though the government has started investing in Medicare again, the current rebates are too small to be able to run a viable practice," he said. "There are some rebate changes coming in on November 1, but even those are probably not enough for many rural practices to remain open. Dr Clements said Northampton Doctors Surgery's closure was symptomatic of an Australia-wide issue with how services were funded. "For the federal government, the levers are quite few and there aren't many ways of actually targeting small towns," he said. "And there aren't many ways of tailoring the Medicare system to towns like Northampton. "So we have state government and local governments needing to step in to make the service viable." In a written statement, state Health Minister Meredith Hammat said the WA government "continued to advocate" to the federal government for "more support for GPs, particularly those in regional and rural Western Australia". Northampton Shire president Liz Sudlow described the surgery's closure as "very, very disappointing". She said the shire provided a low-lease surgery and house for a doctor to support the service. In 2023, the shire responded to fears the surgery may close by implementing $600 travel subsidies for doctors. A spokesperson for the federal Department of Health said there were a range of "targeted programs to provide incentives for doctors" to move to or remain in regional areas. Panaceum Group operates a number of medical practices in Geraldton, which has a population of about 40,000. Director Ian Taylor said services in Geraldton were also stretched. "It's very difficult for practices in Geraldton, for example, to take up the slack [from Northhampton]," he said. "We are relatively under-doctored ourselves at times and it can be quite busy." He echoed that attracting doctors to the regions was a challenge. Although policy and funding for medical care are primarily a federal government responsibility, Dr Taylor said there needed to be a more holistic approach to funding.
ABC News
3 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Lack of health care looms large in minds of ageing rural Australians
Whenever Kerry and Kathy MacDonald head to the main street of their home town in outback Queensland, it is rarely a quick trip. The Longreach locals always spot a familiar face or two and stop for a chat. "I think we live in the best town in the country. We know all the people, there's plenty to do," Mrs MacDonald said. It is that social connection the couple was desperate to keep when Mr MacDonald's health began to decline several years ago. Since 2020, the 80-year-old, who has a heart condition, has made multiple trips to see specialists in Brisbane. It is a 2,400-kilometre round trip, which is no easy task for the couple. "As you get older, each trip is worse," Mrs MacDonald said. "It takes us longer. We now have to stop three times instead of driving straight through." Mr MacDonald was offered a spot in a three-year trial in Brisbane for a treatment that could help prolong his life. Mrs MacDonald said their eldest son had offered them a place to stay in Brisbane. In the end, they stayed put. "It would have created so much upheaval to us that I feel it would have had a more detrimental effect on Kerry's health and probably mine," Mrs MacDonald said. Across rural Queensland, where adequate health services are lacking, many residents face similar heartache when forced to travel long distances or permanently leave communities they are connected to. Data shows your postcode is directly linked to life expectancy. The most recent figures from Queensland Health show a sliding scale of mortality rates, with 75.2 years the median age of death in very remote areas, compared to 81.7 years in major cities. People in the most disadvantaged areas are also likely to die three years earlier than those in higher socio-economic areas. The leading cause of death is coronary heart disease, which is largely preventable, followed by dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. About 17 per cent of the Queensland population is aged 65 or older, according to state government figures. Over the next five weeks, the ABC will explore the challenges Queenslanders face as they age, particularly while living outside of major centres. We will also share stories of people who are challenging the limitations of their postcodes, to show it is possible to age well wherever you live. Rural Doctors Association of Queensland (RDAQ) president Danielle Allan said health services in rural and remote communities were often stretched to the limit. "Some of our communities are waiting five to six weeks before they even see their general practitioner," Dr Allan said. Dr Allan said cost-of-living pressures in recent years had forced more people to move to regional areas, which had compounded the issue. "This year we've had an increase in the number of junior doctors electing to train particularly in rural general practice, so that's a really good sign," she said. "But it's three to five years before those boots hit the ground and in that time you've got increasing population, increasing demand. "So you're almost like the rat on the wheel — you're constantly moving but not necessarily feeling like you're achieving much." The RDAQ has been pushing for increased funding for health care. "Thirty-eight per cent of the Queensland population actually live in rural and remote areas, so when you think about that, do we actually spend 38 per cent of the health budget in those same areas?" Dr Allan said. "We certainly don't have 38 per cent of the health workforce. Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia care finder service manager Terri-Ann Dwyer said isolation was one of the biggest challenges affecting older Queenslanders and their ability to age well. "We're finding people are having to move away to access health services and other support," she said. "That has grief, loss and trauma associated with it … especially if it's something that is forced upon somebody." Ms Dwyer said the isolation was more keenly felt by those no longer able to drive. "Access to public transport is really tough in regional areas and often non-existent in rural and very remote areas," she said. Ms Dwyer said there was "massive demand" and "huge waiting lists" for residential aged care spots, but older Queenslanders should always ask for help. "You've worked really hard all your life, you've contributed to our communities in so many valuable ways," she said. "It is our time now to ensure that we provide the most appropriate services and supports so you can live the rest of your life in the way that works for you the best." The MacDonalds plan to stay in their own home for as long as possible, with the help of local medical services and technology. Mr MacDonald now wears a special watch that alerts his wife if he has had a fall. "I get a call within 10 seconds, and then if I don't answer it within 10 or 20 seconds it goes straight to the ambulance," Mrs MacDonald said. "We have doctors that look after us very well. If we need specialist treatment we're sent away, [but] we feel we don't miss out too much." This story is part of a series exploring how regional Queenslanders are ageing well outside the capital city.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
The Women's Health Bus for rural Southland and Otago
A patient's round trip of seven hours for a gynaecological procedure was the spark that started Dr Helen Paterson's drive to treat women closer to where they lived. It took a number of years to get the Women's Health Bus - Te Waka Wahine Hauora - up and running. But now - 6 years later - the bus is taking clinics in rural towns and attending events such as A& P shows. Dr Helen Paterson, is a senior lecturer and Head of Department of Women's Health at Otago University, and she runs the bus with nurse practitioner Alice van Zijl. Helen Paterson joins Kathryn to talk about the health needs they are trying to answer. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
