Why You Should Tell Your Doctor About Supplements
Most midlife women use supplements, but failing to disclose them can lead to dangerous interactions with other treatments.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Women’s Health
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Data presented at The Menopause Society 2026 Annual Meeting indicates that 64% of midlife women take dietary supplements, yet 70% do not disclose this use to their doctors. Experts are now urging clinicians to prioritize systematic screenings for supplement intake to prevent potential health interactions.
Why it matters
Supplement use is common in midlife as nutrient needs shift, but patients often withhold this information due to fear of judgment or uncertainty. This lack of transparency can lead to dangerous interactions with prescription medications or health risks that providers may not identify during standard visits.
A report at The Menopause Society meeting found 64% of midlife women use supplements, with one-third taking four or more products daily. The extent of this use remains largely opaque to clinicians, who are only told about these products 30% of the time.
The players
Annina Burns
A researcher who presented data on supplement use patterns among midlife women at a national medical meeting.
The Menopause Society
A professional organization focused on clinical evidence and practice standards for midlife women's health.
The details
Supplement ingredients can interfere with prescribed treatments, such as St. John's wort speeding up the clearance of oral contraceptives or anticoagulants. Additionally, ginkgo and ginger may elevate bleeding risks, and green tea extract has been linked to rare instances of liver injury. Because the U.S. market contains over 180,000 products, experts suggest that clinicians implement dedicated supplement intake forms to track specific brands, dosages, and frequencies.
Timeline
The Menopause Society issued a position statement on nonhormone therapies in 2023.
Annina Burns presented these findings in October 2026.
Health Landscape
This research follows the standard set by The Menopause Society's 2023 nonhormone therapy position statement regarding evidence-based care. It marks a critical push to integrate unregulated consumer health products into the formal medical record for menopausal patients.
If you take any vitamins or supplements, ensure you bring the specific bottle or a full list of ingredients to your next medical appointment. Being transparent with your doctor allows them to check for potential interactions with your other medications and current health needs.
The takeaway
Many common supplements pose risks, such as St. John's wort interfering with essential medications or certain extracts increasing bleeding risk. Make it a habit to document every supplement you take—including the brand and dosage—and share that complete list with your physician at every visit.
Further reading
Learn more about managing your care at the Women’s Health hub.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medscape.
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Do you proactively disclose all vitamins and supplements you take to your primary care physician?
