Targeting vasomotor symptoms with the new drug fezolinetant - an expert overview

Menopause is an inevitable event in the life of women who live long enough to reach this milestone. The experience of menopause varies amongst individuals. Menopause has a negative impact on women’s life and is associated with symptoms including vasomotor symptoms (VMS), such as hot flushes and night sweats, sleep disturbances and low mood. VMS are bothersome and may have a long duration. Menopause hormone therapy (MHT) is recommended in women with symptoms; however, its use is limited. The recent approval of fezolinetant offers a new therapeutic option for women who suffer from VMS and are unsuitable or averse to MHT. Fezolinetant is a precision drug as it targets the pathological mechanism of VMS showing some effect also on sleep disturbances. Given how variable the experience of menopause is, it is important to offer individualized treatment options to women who suffer from menopause-related symptoms and let them be part of the shared decision making.