WASHINGTON, DC (June 11, 2026) — Today, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) introduced the Menopause Education for Medical Students Act, legislation to strengthen menopause education in medical schools and better prepare future physicians to care for women across specialties.
“Menopause is not a niche health issue. It is a major life stage that affects millions of women and touches every corner of our health care system,” said Congresswoman Valerie Foushee. “By ensuring medical students are equipped with menopause education, this legislation will help prepare the next generation of physicians to deliver informed and compassionate care to women across specialties.”
According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 1 million women in the United States experience menopause each year, and worldwide, more than 27 million women experience menopause annually. Despite the prevalence, gaps in medical education remain. According to research published in the National Library of Medicine, only 31.3% of responding obstetrics and gynecology residency program directors reported having any type of menopause curriculum as part of residents’ training. Among programs with menopause curricula, all reported offering five or fewer menopause lectures per year, and more than 84% of respondents agreed their program needed more menopause educational resources.
The Menopause Education for Medical Students Act would help close this gap and ensure the next generation of physicians is ready to meet women where they are, at every stage of life. The legislation would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to require public institutions of higher education that receive grants under the Medical Student Education program to include menopause related training in their medical school curriculum.
The Menopause Education for Medical Students Act is endorsed by Women’s Health Advocates.
"Far too many women enter menopause without access to healthcare providers who have received robust training on this critical stage of life,” said Liz Powell, Esq., MPH, Founder of Women’s Health Advocates. “Menopause and perimenopause education must be provided for all physicians, not just OB-GYNs, as this stage of life impacts the entire body and this inclusion in the curriculum will improve patient care, health outcomes, and efficiency in health expenditures.
The full text of the bill can be found here.