America 250: Closing the gap in women’s healthcare

Key Points:

• The FDA removed "black box" warnings from many menopause hormone therapy (HRT) products as of late 2025, reflecting updated research that supports HRT as a safe and effective option for many women, especially those under 60 or within 10 years of menopause onset.
• This shift corrects past medical biases where women’s health, particularly hormonal transitions like menopause, was under-researched or generalized from male-focused studies, leading to improved understanding of how menopause affects overall and oral health.
• Hormonal changes during menopause can cause oral health issues such as dry mouth, burning mouth syndrome, and increased risk of periodontal disease, prompting growing demand for menopause-specific dental benefits, as noted by Delta Dental.
• Federal initiatives, including NIH policies since 2016 and a 2024 executive order by President Biden, are promoting more inclusive, sex-specific research and increased funding to address historic gaps in women’s health studies and treatments.
• Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasized that millions of women were previously discouraged from using HRT despite its potential to improve quality of life during menopause, highlighting the importance of this medical and cultural shift.