Mary Beech Urges Systemic Perimenopause Reform as 71% of Women Report Being Unprepared
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · May 19
Mary Beech Urges Systemic Perimenopause Reform as 71% of Women Report Being Unprepared
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · May 19
Mary Beech says perimenopause symptoms blindsided her around age 50, despite working in wellness and staying proactive about her health, prompting a call for broader reform in how women are educated and treated.
Two years passed before she had a real discussion about hormone replacement therapy, after doctors had offered only vague guidance such as tracking cycle length rather than clearly naming perimenopause.
Beech argues the problem is systemic: women’s health care treats perimenopause and menopause as isolated events, leaving patients to decode symptoms alone and shoulder too much of the burden.
Data she cites shows 71% of women were unprepared for how disruptive menopause symptoms would be, while only about one-third of clinical-trial patients are female and women account for 38% of U.S. physicians.
She calls for personalized, data-driven care and more women shaping research, care models and products so future patients enter perimenopause with clearer guidance and support.
Women's health research gets just 1% of funding. Can more female leaders in medicine finally fix this billion-dollar disparity?
HRT warnings are gone, but doctors remain undertrained. How can women access safe and modern menopause care today?
New wearables promise to decode perimenopause. Will this tech empower all women or create a new digital health divide?
The 2025–2026 Perimenopause Reform: How New FDA Rules, Workplace Laws, and Advocacy Are Transforming Women's Health
Overview
Perimenopause and menopause care is experiencing a major transformation in 2025–2026, driven by a surge in legislative and regulatory actions after years of neglect and confusion. Historically, care was inadequate because most healthcare providers received little or no training on menopause, leading to many women—especially women of color—not getting the treatment they need. Only about one-fifth of women receive menopause care, highlighting a significant gap. These recent changes aim to address the lack of education and improve access, marking a turning point toward more personalized and effective support for women during this important life stage.