Among a survey of over 800 providers, menopause care was the top area for expected greatest improvement over the next 5 years.
A global survey of more than 800 healthcare providers (HCPs) revealed that although 87% of clinicians believed progress in women’s health was made over the past 5 years, substantial barriers to optimal care remained. The 44th Sermo Barometer, fielded from February 20 to March 3, 2026, found that 33% of physicians identified earlier diagnosis as the single change that would improve outcomes the most, outranking better therapies (23%), expanded access (23%), and improved education (11%).1
Additionally, the shift toward non-invasive diagnostics was cited as very or extremely important by 84% of providers. The scope of earlier diagnosis spans across several specialty areas of women’s health, according to Sermo Medical Advisory Board member Sara Farag, MD, FACOG.
“What the Sermo Barometer captures is what I see every day in my practice: the menopause patient who is dismissed by her gynecologist because they don't ‘believe in hormones,’ the couple with infertility who is losing hope due to failed IVF cycles and poor insurance coverage, and the endometriosis patient who was undiagnosed for years due to lack of non-invasive testing,” said Farag in a news release.
“Women's health has made genuine strides, but the common thread running through every one of these scenarios is that we are still struggling to properly treat these conditions. Earlier diagnosis, better diagnostic tools, and stronger education for both providers and patients. This is the trifecta this field needs."
For endometriosis, it is widely known to be underdiagnosed, with recent research published in the Journal of Women’s Health
With more than 1 billion women globally anticipated to reach menopause this year, according to Sermo, the survey highlighted a disconnect between patient needs and provider readiness. Only 21% of surveyed HCPs believed current treatment options met patient needs very well, and only 39% indicated they felt very confident managing symptoms. The primary barriers to care were identified as a lack of provider education (23%) and patient misconceptions or stigma (20%).1
As the menopause treatment market was projected to reach $24.35 billion by 2030, 72% of providers noted growth in cash-pay and direct-to-consumer services, signaling that demand was outpacing traditional healthcare settings. Although 61% of providers viewed recent FDA-approved nonhormonal oral therapies as a meaningful shift, 40% of those clinicians considered them complementary to traditional hormone replacement therapy rather than a replacement.
In the realm of reproductive assistance, 82% of providers believed fertility innovations felt more advanced than they did 5 years ago. However, this enthusiasm was tempered by concerns regarding the commercialization of care; 80% of HCPs reported concern about fertility clinics adopting a consumer-driven approach to care. Consequently, 89% of providers supported increased regulatory oversight for clinics operating outside traditional hospital systems.
The survey also identified a disconnect regarding over-the-counter fertility supplements, as 46% of surveyed HCPs believed these supplements had little to no impact on fertility. Still, 78% of providers reported that patients regularly asked about products seen on social media. Similarly, although 49% of providers saw ovarian rejuvenation techniques like platelet-rich plasma as promising, only 14% categorized them as evidence-based, with most still considering such treatments experimental.
United States-based providers reported significant workforce strain and clinical uncertainty resulting from shifting reproductive health laws. Half (49%) of these providers stated that policy shifts affected ob-gyn recruitment and retention in their regions. Furthermore, 73% of clinicians reported that legal changes increased uncertainty in reproductive clinical decision-making.
Patient behavior also shifted in response to the regulatory environment. According to the data, 84% of providers observed changes such as delayed care, the necessity for patients to travel for services, and increased anxiety about treatment options.
Based on the findings of the survey, the following breakdown highlights key provider priorities about where the overall field of women’s health has improved, and what target areas need more attention.
Most meaningful recent medical progress:
Where R&D is most needed:
Most anticipated greatest improvement:
Most urgently needed non-invasive diagnostic innovation:
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