Hot flashes, night sweats and that sudden, overwhelming rush of heat—these are just a few of the most common and disruptive symptoms of menopause. In fact, vasomotor symptoms (VMS), which include hot flashes and night sweats, can impact nearly every aspect of a woman’s life.
According to Dr. Jen Ashton, former chief medical correspondent for ABC News and renowned OB-GYN, about 50% of women going into menopause, or currently experiencing it, deal with moderate to severe VMS—and the impact goes beyond just discomfort.
“It can happen anytime, anywhere, at work, out at a social event or at home,” Ashton tells Flow Space. “It can disrupt sleep. It can disrupt mood, concentration. It’s not just an inconvenience; it has the potential for really disrupting a woman’s life, her productivity, and also her health.”
That’s why Ashton has teamed up with Astellas Pharma—the manufacturer of Veozah, the only non-hormonal medication specifically approved for treating VMS associated with menopause—for the Cooler Moments campaign, which aims to bring much-needed awareness to this stage of life.
“I think it’s always a good place to start by recognizing: Is something common, or is it rare? And this is mega common,” Ashton says. “One to one-and-a-half million women enter menopause in the United States every year, and at least 50% of them will experience moderate to severe hot flashes and night sweats… you’re talking about a lot of women.”
Despite the fact that VMS are so widespread, menopause and its symptoms are often whispered about and hidden, even completely ignored in the past.
“I’m a board-certified OB-GYN, I had like, one hour of formal education about menopause when I was in medical school and my residency,” Ashton shares. “It was just kind of skipped over and whispered about.”
Ashton says that’s changing, thanks in part to initiatives like Cooler Moments, which helps women access educational resources, take quizzes and gain better understanding about their treatment options for managing VMS.
Her partnership with Astellas is especially focused on providing alternatives to the common notion that menopause treatment means either hormone therapy or nothing.
“When you talk about menopause and VMS, so many women, even so many healthcare professionals, think that the only option is hormonal or nothing,” Ashton notes. “And it’s part of why I felt so strongly about talking about Veozah. So many people don’t know about it. It’s a completely, 100% hormone-free option that could be right for some women.”
As the world continues to open up to a broader discussion about menopause, Ashton says she’s excited to continue the conversation. That’s exactly what she hopes to provide, helping women not only manage their symptoms but also feel empowered to make informed decisions about their health. Through her newsletter Ajenda and her work with Astellas, Ashton is bringing critical resources to the forefront—resources that can guide women as they navigate this phase of life with confidence.
“We can’t change the past, but we can change the present and future, and it all begins with education and awareness,” Ashton says.