Sermo Barometer: Nearly 9 in 10 Providers See Progress in Women’s Health, but Earlier Diagnosis Remains the Biggest Gap

Survey of 800+ HCPs Finds Menopause Care is the #1 Area Where Providers Expect the Greatest Improvement in the Next 5 Years

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 44th Barometer from Sermo, a fast, frictionless HCP engagement platform providing the healthcare industry with real-time business insights and authentic physician touch points, surveyed 800+ global healthcare providers (HCPs) who treat women’s health conditions finding that early 9 in 10 (87%) believe progress in women’s health has been made in the past five years, yet 1 in 3 physicians (33%) say earlier diagnosis is the single change that would improve women’s health outcomes the most, outranking better therapies (23%), expanded access (23%), and improved education (11%). Reinforcing the finding, 84% of providers say the shift toward non-invasive diagnostics is very or extremely important.

For physicians on the frontlines, these statistics have faces. Dr. Sara Farag, MD, FACOG board certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Sermo Medical Advisory Board Member, shares "What the Sermo Barometer captures is what I see everyday 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. 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."

Menopause Non-Hormonal Therapies Important Shift in Care But Not Game Changer:

This year more than 1 billion women globally are anticipated to reach menopause, yet only 21% of surveyed providers believe current treatment options meet their patient needs very well, and only 39% indicating they feel very confident managing symptoms. Lack of provider education (23%) followed by patient misconceptions/stigma (20%) top the barrier list, and 72% providers report growth in cash-pay and direct-to-consumer menopause services, signaling that demand is outpacing traditional care settings.

The menopause treatment market is poised to grow significantly, reaching $24.35 billion by 2030, and recent FDA approvals of non-hormonal oral therapies are beginning to reshape the landscape. While 61% of providers see these new treatments as a meaningful shift, most (40%) of these providers view them as complementary to traditional HRT. Non-hormonal therapies have earned a seat at the table, they’re just not seated at the head of it.

Fertility Care Goes Concierge & Sparks Regulatory Concerns:

With 1 in 8 (13%) reproductive-age women having needed fertility services, 82% of providers believe fertility innovations feel more advanced than five years ago. At the same time, providers are wary of how the industry is changing, as 80% report concern about fertility clinics adopting a medspa-like, consumer-driven model of care. Reflecting these concerns, the majority of providers (89%) support increased regulatory oversight for fertility clinics operating outside traditional hospital systems.

There's a clear disconnect regarding fertility supplements. Nearly half (46%) of surveyed HCPs believe over-the-counter supplements have little to no impact on fertility. Despite this, 78% of providers report patients regularly asking about supplements they've seen online or on social media. Skepticism also extends to new clinical technologies. While 49% of providers see ovarian rejuvenation techniques, like PRP, as promising, they still consider them experimental. Only 14% call them “evidence-based.” Trust in the science hasn't kept pace with market enthusiasm.

Shifting US Reproductive Health Laws Drive Staffing Issues & Lack of Clinical Clarity:

U.S.-based providers report growing workforce strain and uncertainty in care delivery as reproductive health laws continue to evolve. Half (49%) of providers report that these policy shifts affect OB-GYN recruitment and retention in their region, highlighting mounting staffing challenges. 73% report legal changes have increased uncertainty in reproductive clinical decision-making. Regulatory changes also shape patient interactions, with 84% of providers observing changes in patient behavior, such as delayed care, traveling for services, and increased anxiety about their treatment options.

Key Findings at a Glance:

A closer look at provider priorities reveals where the field has made its mark, and where work is far from done:

This survey was fielded from February 20th - March 3rd, 2026 as part of Sermo’s ongoing Barometer study. The survey included 812 global healthcare professionals whose specialties ranged from OB-GYN, general practice, internal medicine, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who treated women’s health conditions. To explore more findings, visit: https://app.sermo.com/barometer

About Sermo:

Sermo is a fast, frictionless physician engagement platform, providing the healthcare industry with real-time business insights and authentic physician touch points through our global community of 1M+ healthcare professionals and state-of-the-art technology. For over 20 years, Sermo has been turning physician experience, expertise, and observations into actionable insights that benefit pharmaceutical companies, healthcare partners, and the medical community at large. To learn more, visit www.sermo.com.

Media Contact:
Allyson Noonan
allyson.noonan@gmail.com
(858) 245-7256