The October 30 update from the FDA follows the February 12, 2026 labeling changes to 6 menopausal hormone therapy products in which the agency also removed safety-related boxed warnings.
News|Articles|November 2, 2026
Top headlines in women's health from October 2026
Author(s)Joshua Fitch, Senior Editor
Fact checked by: Benjamin P. Saylor
A recap of the top women's health headlines from October 2026, including FDA approval of pritelivir for refractory HSV, ACOG's new menopause guideline, and more.
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October brought a wave of regulatory decisions, new clinical guidance, and federal policy news across women’s health. Below, the Contemporary OB/GYN team recaps the top headlines from the month.
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Stephanie S. Faubion, MD, on choosing between fezolinetant and elinzanetant, liver monitoring, follow-up, and open questions in menopause care.
JoAnn V. Pinkerton, MD, MSCP, reviews 4 pooled elinzanetant analyses from OASIS presented at The Menopause Society Annual Meeting 2026, spanning late perimenopause, sleep, VMS reduction, and safety.
The FDA approved the first generic of Climara Pro, a weekly estradiol/levonorgestrel patch for VMS and osteoporosis prevention in women with a uterus.
In September, the FDA accepted an extended duration sNDA for the IUD with a decision expected in Q2 2027.
Chrisandra Shufelt, MD, on using a cardiovascular risk score to guide hormone therapy candidacy at menopause.
Susan Reed, MD, on the need for menopause research funding, a clinical trials network, and studies in understudied groups and perimenopause.
Chrisandra Shufelt, MD, on why menopause is a window for cardiovascular prevention and the risk factors OB/GYNs should assess.
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