A biopsychosocial framework for scalable menopause care: integrating cognitive behavioral therapy and digital...

Menopause is a natural life stage characterized by biological, psychological and social changes that collectively influence women's health and quality of life. Despite the prevalence of vasomotor disturbances, sleep disruption, mood changes and genitourinary complaints, access to evidence-based menopause care remains limited by inadequate models of care, polarized social narratives and limited awareness among healthcare providers. The biopsychosocial model offers a holistic framework for understanding menopause, emphasizing that symptom burden is shaped not only by hormonal changes but also by individual health beliefs, coping strategies, lifestyle and sociocultural context. Evidence-based interventions, including menopausal hormone therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), are complementary tools that can be offered separately or in combination. Digital health solutions, in particular prescription and non-prescription digital therapeutics (DTx), provide an opportunity to expand access to CBT and other evidence-based interventions at scale, addressing existing barriers such as limited availability and long waiting times. Countries such as Germany, France, the UK and the USA are beginning to develop reimbursement and regulatory pathways to support prescription DTx, highlighting opportunities for global implementation. Reframing menopause through a biopsychosocial lens, integrating scalable behavioral and pharmacological interventions, and leveraging digital technologies represent a critical pathway toward equitable, personalized and effective care for women.