Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act

This proposal directs the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to review what is known about menopause, perimenopause, and mid-life women’s health for servicewomen and women veterans. They must look at finished and ongoing studies, find gaps in knowledge about treatments (both hormone and non-hormone), check safety and effectiveness, and study how military service and combat roles—like exposure to burn pits, toxic chemicals, and PFAS—may affect symptoms and mental health .

They must also review how much training their own health providers have on this topic and how often it’s used, plus how available treatments are for the women they serve. Within 180 days of the law taking effect, they must report their findings, recommend ways to strengthen provider training, and lay out a plan to close research gaps and identify new topics to study. They should coordinate with Health and Human Services to avoid duplicating work, and Congress encourages further research in this area.

• Who is affected: Women in the Armed Forces and women veterans; military and VA health care providers.
• What changes: A full review of existing research; identification of gaps; a report with recommendations; a strategic plan to improve research and provider training; coordination with HHS; encouragement to do more studies.
• When: The report is due within 180 days after enactment.