Top in women’s health: Updates on hot flash treatments, postpartum hypertension

Fezolinetant performed better than other nonhormonal medications at reducing vasomotor symptoms due to menopause, according to a recent meta-analysis of randomized studies.

Marketed by Astellas as Veozah, fezolinetant is a nonhormone neurokinin 3 receptor agonist that was approved by the FDA in the first half of 2023. A 45-mg once-daily dose “was significantly more effective in reducing the frequency of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms than available [nonhormonal therapy] options,” researchers said. “For reduction in vasomotor symptoms severity, fezolinetant 45 mg was significantly more effective than desvenlafaxine 50 mg, but not higher doses of desvenlafaxine or gabapentin ER 1,800 mg.”

It was the top story in women’s health last week.

In another top story, a study showed that women with chronic hypertension have a higher risk for hospital readmission due to CVD complications or any heart disease or stroke within 1 year after childbirth. The risk for hospital readmissions was seen within the first 30 days postpartum and progressively increased during the first year after childbirth.

Read these and more top stories in women’s health below:

Fezolinetant associated with reduced hot flash frequency vs. other nonhormone therapies

Fezolinetant 45 mg once daily was statistically significantly more effective in reducing moderate to severe vasomotor symptom frequency compared with other nonhormonal — but not hormone-based — therapies in the U.S., researchers reported. Read more.

Chronic hypertension increases CVD risk as early as 1 month after childbirth

Postpartum women with chronic hypertension have an increased risk for CVD within the first year after childbirth, according to study results published in Obstetrics & Gynecology. Read more.

Elinzanetant’s impact on vasomotor symptoms prompts study on menopausal sleep disturbances

Following positive topline data for moderate to severe vasomotor symptom treatment, a phase 2 study of elinzanetant is underway to assess its safety and efficacy on sleep disturbances associated with menopause, Bayer said in a news release. Read more.

Telemedicine requests for advance abortion medication rise after Dobbs

Telemedicine requests for advance provision of abortion medications increased following Dobbs and FDA mifepristone rulings, according to study results published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Read more.

History of infertility tied to midlife women’s cardiovascular health

Infertility history was associated with lower overall and biomedical cardiovascular health scores among women who had a singleton birth, according to cohort study results published in JAMA Network Open. Read more.