Women in women’s health / Roundup / 12 October 2026
Menopause and the brain, hormones and GLP-1s, employers lag
New studies tie menopause to brain health and to how GLP-1 drugs work. Most UK employers are not yet ready to publish a menopause plan. Two women from the index are in it.
The news
4- Two new studies link menopause changes to cognitive declineA Nature Medicine study of nearly 15,000 women found blood proteins raised after menopause, and higher in women with significant hot flushes, tracked with faster neurological decline. A JAMA Network Open study linked earlier menopause to faster memory decline.Femtech Insider · October 2026
- Hormone therapy linked to greater weight loss on semaglutideIn nearly 2,400 women on semaglutide, those also using hormone therapy lost more weight and kept it off. For tirzepatide the difference was not significant. A useful question for midlife women now that GLP-1 use is common.The Menopause Society · October 2026
- Study flags higher cardiovascular risk with testosterone after menopauseIn more than 6,300 matched women, cardiovascular events were 3.8% with testosterone against 0.5% without. The lead author notes absolute rates were low; it is a records study, to be presented this month.The Menopause Society · October 2026
- Only a quarter of UK employers are preparing to publish a menopause planEmployers with more than 250 staff must publish a menopause action plan from spring 2027. In a reader poll, 27% are preparing and 40% are not.Employee Benefits · October 2026
From the index
201US
Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry & Epidemiology, University of PittsburghProved hot flashes are a signal about the heart and brain, not just a nuisance.Rebecca Thurston
02UK
Co-founder & Co-CEO, Peppy HealthGot employers to put menopause support in the benefits package, not the too-hard basket.Mridula Pore
Just funded
201Netherlands
Jeanine van MunsterA doctor-led digital clinic for hormonal conditions, including perimenopause, PMOS and postpartum recovery.New investment from Healthy.Capital brings total funding to €1.5 million.Flouria Health
02UK
Jessica-Rose Watson and Isla Wynne ThomasProducts for hormone-related vaginal dryness, now expanding into Boots.com, QVC UK and the US.Raised £600,000 seed, led by Gabriel Investment Syndicate.GLORIAH
Building or researching in women’s health?
Add yourself, or put forward someone whose work deserves to be on the list.
A curated roundup, not a ranking or an endorsement. Every item links to its source.