Updated Guidelines Support Menopause Hormone Therapy
New clinical recommendations encourage hormone therapy for most patients to help manage common menopause symptoms.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Women’s Health
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The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has updated its clinical guidelines to strongly recommend hormone therapy for most patients experiencing menopause. This shift follows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's decision to remove the black box warning from hormone therapy labels.
Why it matters
The change stems from a reassessment of the 2002 Women's Health Initiative study, which regulators now acknowledge was flawed in its risk analysis for most women. This update clarifies treatment options for the millions of U.S. women who reach the average menopause age of 52.
A reassessment of the 2002 Women's Health Initiative, which followed 16,000 women aged 50 to 79, led to current clinical updates. It is still unknown how these guideline changes will affect ongoing pharmacy supply shortages for hormone patches.
The players
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
A professional organization of physicians that establishes clinical guidelines for women's reproductive health care.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
The federal agency responsible for regulating medications and overseeing public health safety labels.
The details
Patients can receive hormone therapy through various delivery methods, including pills, transdermal patches, gels, sprays, and vaginal creams. Clinicians determine appropriate treatment plans by reviewing an individual's personal health history. While hormone therapy addresses symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, some patients may also use certain antidepressants, such as Lexapro, to manage hot flashes.
Timeline
2002: The Women's Health Initiative released its initial study on hormone therapy risks.
November 2025: The FDA announced its plans to remove the black box warning from hormone therapy labels.
October 2026: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued updated clinical guidelines.
November 10, 2026: Newsday plans to publish the second installment of its women's health series.
Health Landscape
This updated guidance marks a definitive departure from the 2002 Women's Health Initiative study findings, which previously influenced medical care for decades. It reflects a broader shift toward re-evaluating long-standing clinical approaches to menopause management.
Women navigating perimenopause or menopause symptoms should review their health history with a physician to determine if hormone therapy is an appropriate option. Discussing these updated guidelines can help clear up misconceptions about the safety of hormone treatments compared to past reports.
The takeaway
The major clinical update signals that hormone therapy is once again considered a standard treatment for many experiencing menopause. It is important to discuss your individual symptoms—such as hot flashes or sleep disturbances—with your physician to evaluate the current options available to you.
What happens next
Newsday is scheduled to publish the second installment of its women's health series on November 10, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Women’s Health.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Newsday.
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