To direct the Director of the National Institutes of Health and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to evaluate hormone variability and hormone testing, respectively, in women with respect to perimenopause.

Overview

HR 9077 (119th Congress) directs federal health agencies to evaluate hormone variability and hormone testing in women who are perimenopausal. The bill tasks the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) with examining current understandings of hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and the effectiveness, limitations, and appropriateness of hormone testing in this population.

Purpose and intent

• To improve understanding of how hormone levels vary during the perimenopausal transition.
• To assess the reliability and clinical value of hormone testing for perimenopausal symptoms and decision-making.
• To provide evidence-based insights that could inform clinical guidelines, patient care, and potential policy recommendations related to hormone assessment in perimenopause.

Key provisions

• Directive to the NIH Director to evaluate hormone variability in perimenopause:
  • Identify the extent and patterns of natural hormonal fluctuations (e.g., estrogen, progesterone, and other relevant biomarkers).
  • Assess how variability correlates with symptoms, health outcomes, and clinical decision-making.
  • Review existing research gaps, study designs, and populations (including diverse groups).
• Directive to the HHS Secretary to evaluate hormone testing:
  • Examine the indications, accuracy, reliability, and clinical utility of hormone tests used during perimenopause.
  • Assess when testing is appropriate, how results should be interpreted, and how tests influence treatment choices (e.g., hormone replacement therapy, symptom management).
  • Consider safety, cost, access, and potential disparities in testing availability.
• Both directives aim to produce findings and potentially recommendations to inform practice, guidelines, or policy.

Who is affected

• Women undergoing perimenopause and clinicians who treat them, including primary care providers, gynecologists, and endocrinologists.
• Researchers and health systems that conduct or rely on hormone testing.
• Policy-makers and guideline developers who translate NIH/HHS findings into recommendations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

• The bill authorizes an evaluation by NIH and HHS but does not specify a detailed timeline within the text provided.
• It requires coordination between NIH and HHS to produce findings and, potentially, policy recommendations.
• As a House bill, its progression would depend on committee action (Energy and Commerce) and broader legislative processes.

Potential impact

• Increased clarity on whether routine hormone testing is helpful or necessary during perimenopause.
• Informed guidance for clinicians on interpreting hormone tests and managing perimenopausal symptoms.
• Potential to influence clinical guidelines, payer coverage decisions, and patient education materials regarding hormone variability and testing.
• May identify research gaps prompting funding or new studies to improve perimenopause care.

Sponsor and status highlights

• Major sponsor: Representative Hillary Scholten (co-sponsor).
• Action history: Introduced in the House and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on May 29, 2026.

Note: This summary reflects the bill’s stated objectives and provisions as described in its summary and status. For full details, the bill text and any related amendments would provide complete legislative language and specifics.