Women’s healthcare is at a crossroads: industry research acknowledges that women have unique health care needs, different risk factors and symptoms from men, and a variety of barriers to care— including economic, social, and environmental. A few of the reasons for the enhanced emphasis on finding and implementing solutions for women’s health care include:

• Women use more health care services than men—even excluding reproductive care—due to biological differences and disease prevalence. Women are more likely than men to be affected by certain chronic diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis and pulmonary diseases. ¹ And some health conditions, such as heart disease, affect women differently. ²
• Reproductive care, including access, is one of the most common health care concerns among women of all ages, with the most common barrier being finding a physician that felt comfortable to the patient. ³
• More than 60 percent of women delay or skip necessary medical care for reasons including medical costs, caring for others, and difficulty juggling multiple responsibilities. ⁴
• Industry studies show that nearly one in four women who work lacked the time to get the care they needed, and 80 percent have delayed care until symptoms worsened or affected their daily lives. ⁵
• Among the barriers faced by women struggling to prioritize their health, feeling overwhelmed is the top obstacle, followed by mental and emotional health, insufficient time, and work and family commitments.
• Women’s reproductive health—from maternal years through menopause—is receiving increased attention. In addition to the health care policy landscape, a growing body of research shows that health care access for women varies according to age, race, community, and economics—known as social determinants of health (SDOH) or health disparities. There is a growing recognition among industry leaders and health care providers that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work for female patients as they move through their reproductive care journey.
• Menopause has also been linked in numerous studies to increased risk of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and memory loss.

Breaking down midlife barriers: The menopause journey

Women’s reproductive care needs do not end with the childbearing years. After being minimized or misunderstood for decades, perimenopause and menopause are in the spotlight, largely due the increasing demand among midlife women for better information, support, and treatment options.

New research continues to emerge about the onset, symptoms, and treatment for perimenopause and menopause management. Likewise, long-standing industry assumptions about the proper treatment for menopause are being challenged with new approaches, as perimenopause and menopause—and their symptoms—gain more attention.

New research by Evernorth Health Services

A 2025 Evernorth Health Services study of 1.5 million women between the ages of 40 and 64 with Cigna Healthcare^® medical coverage found that more than half had experienced menopause-related symptoms, but only eight percent had received a confirmed diagnosis of perimenopause or menopause.

Additionally, according to the Evernorth Health Services study, delays in diagnosis and treatment have significant implications for women’s health, well-being, and productivity. Discomfort related to underdiagnosed or non-diagnosed menopause symptoms can result in women seeking care or treatment that may not be evidence-based or appropriate.

A separate Evernorth Health Services analysis of 7.4 million commercially insured people ages 13 to 64 found that while women accounted for half of the covered patients, more than one in two health conditions are more common in women and costlier to treat than in men, and only seven percent of health conditions were unique to women (i.e., OB/GYN-related).

The study pointed to lack of clinical training addressing women-specific health issues such as perimenopause and menopause as a common factor in unmet women’s health care needs, late or incorrect diagnoses, and unnecessary diagnostic tests. ⁶

Additionally, significant knowledge gaps exist in family medicine, internal medicine, and OB/GYN provider post-graduate training in perimenopause and menopause. A recent National Institutes of Health study found that only 6.8 percent of medical residents reported they were prepared to manage menopausal symptoms, while 20.3 percent did not receive any training on menopause during residency. ⁷

Midlife women and menopause

• Women spend approximately half their lives in menopause.
• Women over the age of 45 are the fastest-growing segment of the workforce.
• Among women ages 45 to 64, 17 percent of those surveyed have quit or considered quitting their jobs due to menopause symptoms.

Resources to share with your patients^*

Cigna Healthcare offers menopause resources and support for providers to share with their patients, including educational information, behavioral health care, clinical support, and lifestyle programs. Some benefits vary according to plan coverage and are available by provider referral.

• MD Live by Evernorth^®—virtual patient consults with board-certified doctors and licensed behavioral health providers knowledgeable about menopause are available 24/7 by telephone or video.
• Cigna Healthcare employer-provided Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – workforce resources and support for mental health needs for patients who have Cigna Healthcare plan coverage through their employer. Patients have access to a pre-determined number of counseling visits per issue, per individual, per plan year, at no cost. EAP services may include assessment and referral or short-term counseling for issues including relationship and marital concerns, parenting challenges, workplace stressors, depression and anxiety, and stress management. The goal of the program is to help patients address personal issues and bring balance to their lives.
• Cigna 24/7 Health Information Line—24/7 confidential clinical support for non-emergency situations and questions is available for patients by calling the number on the back their Cigna Healthcare ID card. Patients can also access health resources, including an audio health library and referrals for health care providers or programs. Services are also available for non-English speaking patients.
• Virtual Gynecology Clinic—patient care for every life stage through menopause with doctors, clinicians, coaches, and advocates, featuring convenient appointments and symptom relief.
• Virtual Gastrointestinal (GI) Care—support for menopause-related and other digestive and GI symptoms and conditions— from occasional symptoms to chronic disease.

Cigna Healthcare Visibility Gap Podcasts

View the latest segment of the Cigna Healthcare Visibility Gap Podcast series. In this season, Jen Ashton, M.D., OB/GYN, focuses on the women’s health gap—exploring topics ranging from maternal health to heart disease to cancer. Follow along on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or iHeartRadio to learn how these health challenges affect women’s lives, our communities, the workplace, and health care in general.  

*Plan benefits may vary depending on coverage. Patients should check the details of their Cigna Healthcare plan to determine available support and services.

1. Chronic Conditions That Predominantly Impact or Affect Women Differently – Advancing Research on Chronic Conditions in Women – NCBI Bookshelf

2. Women and Heart Disease – National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

3. Changes in the Frequency and Type of Barriers to Reproductive Health Care Between 2017 and 2021 – PMC

4. Majority of U.S. Women Struggle to Prioritize Health

5. Health care must evolve to meet the multifaceted needs of women | Evernorth Health Services

6. Health care must evolve to meet the multifaceted needs of women | Evernorth Health Services

7. Menopause Management Knowledge in Postgraduate Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents: A Cross-Sectional Survey – PubMed