Hot Flushes Keeping You Awake? New Data on Veozah

If you’re exploring menopause treatment options, you’ve probably come across hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and non-hormonal alternatives like Veozah for menopause. But with pills, patches, gels, sprays and vaginal creams all available, figuring out which option might be right for you can feel overwhelming. The good news is that you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Understanding how these treatments differ can help you have a more productive conversation with your healthcare provider.

Menopause treatments aren’t one-size-fits-all. While hormone replacement therapy can help relieve symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness, non-hormonal options like Veozah for menopause may be worth discussing if you prefer not to take hormones or need an alternative. The key is understanding which treatments address your particular symptoms and how their benefits and risks fit your individual health needs.

What is Veozah?

Veozah (fezolinetant) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms, including hot flushes and night sweats associated with menopause.

Unlike hormone replacement therapy, Veozah doesn’t supply estrogen. Instead, it blocks a receptor in the brain called NK3, which plays a role in the body’s temperature-regulation system. By targeting this pathway, the medication can help reduce the frequency and severity of hot flushes. This makes it a potential option for women who cannot take hormone therapy, prefer a non-hormonal approach or want to discuss alternatives with their healthcare provider.

What did the new research find?

In October 2026, Astellas Pharma announced preliminary findings from the Phase 4 OPTION-VMS study, which examined non-hormonal treatments in women receiving care in real-world settings. The findings were presented at the International Menopause Society’s 2026 World Congress. 

Among women taking fezolinetant, researchers reported:

• Fewer bothersome hot flushes: Improvements were observed as early as week four and continued through week 12.
• Better reported sleep: Participants reported improvements in sleep disturbance.
• Changes measured by wearable devices: Objective sleep measures also improved, including sleep efficiency and nighttime awakenings.
• An encouraging number: By week 12, participants experienced an average of 2.6 fewer nighttime awakenings compared with their baseline measurements. 

These findings are encouraging because they look at women’s experiences in everyday clinical practice, not just under tightly controlled clinical-trial conditions.

There is an important caveat, however. This was an observational study, and the results compared participants with their own starting measurements. The study wasn’t designed to prove that Veozah caused every improvement or that it works better than other non-hormonal medications.

What about side effects and safety?

As promising as these findings sound, Veozah isn’t right for everyone. The medication carries an FDA boxed warning for potentially serious liver injury. Patients need liver blood tests before starting treatment, monthly during the first three months, and again at months six and nine. Your healthcare provider may order additional tests if symptoms suggest liver problems. 

Tell your provider about all medications you take and your medical history before considering treatment. Veozah has specific restrictions involving certain liver and kidney conditions and interactions with other medications. And remember, these new findings don’t mean Veozah is a sleeping pill. It’s approved to treat menopausal hot flushes and night sweats, not insomnia itself. Better sleep may follow when those symptoms become less disruptive, but individual results vary.

What does this mean for women going through menopause?

For years, the menopause conversation often seemed to revolve around one question: Should I take HRT or not?

Today, there are more options to discuss. Hormone therapy remains an effective treatment for many women, while non-hormonal medications such as Veozah offer another approach for appropriate patients. If night sweats are leaving you exhausted, you don’t have to assume that sleeplessness is simply something you must endure as you get older. Start by talking with your healthcare provider about what’s disrupting your sleep and which treatments might be appropriate for you.

You deserve restful nights and days when you feel like yourself again. The best treatment is one that takes your symptoms, medical history and individual needs into account.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Never start, stop or change a medication without consulting your healthcare provider.

Recommended sources

• The Menopause Society: Hormone Therapy
• FDA: Hormone Replacement Therapies for Menopause Symptoms
• Office on Women’s Health: Menopause Treatment

Other Relevant Blog Posts:

Why Menopause Can Wreck Your Sleep — and How to Get It Back