New Menopause Therapies Reflect a “Sea Change” in Women’s Health, Says Lisa Larkin, MD

A growing wave of public awareness around perimenopause and menopause is reshaping expectations for women’s health, and placing new demands on clinicians. In a recent interview with Patient Care, Lisa Larkin, MD, internist, menopause specialist, and CEO and Founder of Ms.Medicine, describes how the development of nonhormonal therapies like elinzanetant reflects a broader shift in menopause care driven by patient advocacy, social media visibility, and increased recognition of unmet needs.

Larkin notes that in just the last two to three years, women have become far more vocal and informed about their symptoms, creating a “sea change” in how they approach their health and what they expect from their clinicians. This surge in awareness has highlighted gaps in clinician training and underscored the need for more accessible, effective treatment options.

She also discusses how elinzanetant—pending final labeling and safety requirements—could offer a more streamlined, nonhormonal option for managing vasomotor symptoms, making it easier for both gynecologists and primary care physicians to prescribe.

The following transcript has been edited lightly for clarity and flow.

Patient Care: How does the development of drugs like elinzanetant reflect a broader shift in menopause care?

Lisa Larkin, MD: The tide has really turned over the past 24 to 36 months. There’s been a major shift in awareness—women are now seeing menopause and perimenopause content everywhere, especially on social media. It’s empowering women with language and information to demand better care, which is a positive and long-overdue change.

Now, the responsibility is on clinicians to step up, recognize the gaps in their knowledge, and get the education needed to provide better menopause care. The growing visibility of this topic has made it clear that women expect their clinicians to be informed and proactive.

As for elinzanetant, the clinical data are very strong, and it’s likely to be a valuable addition to our treatment options. My hope is that it will not carry a boxed warning or require liver function monitoring—if that’s the case, it will clearly differentiate elinzanetant from fezolinetant and make it much easier for gynecologists and primary care providers to prescribe.

For more of our conversation with Larkin, check out:

• Lisa Larkin, MD: Elinzanetant Offers a “Game-Changing” Option for Menopause Care in Primary Care
• Lisa Larkin, MD, on the Importance of Recognizing and Managing Vasomotor Symptoms in Menopause
• Treatment of Vasomotor Symptoms: From Hormone Therapy to Neurokinin Receptor Antagonists
• Breaking the Silence: Discussing Menopause Treatment Options in Primary Care