New menopause drug without hormones approved by FDA. A doctor shares what to know.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Lynkuet, a new daily pill from Bayer that provides a non-hormonal option for treating hot flashes . The drug, known generically as elinzanetant, is the second medication to directly target the brain pathways involved in body temperature control.

Menopause occurs when the ovaries stop producing estrogen, usually in a woman's late 40s or early 50s. Treating its symptoms has long been difficult because the transition affects multiple systems—temperature regulation, sleep, mood, bones, and sexuality—and the hormonal shifts vary widely among individuals. No single therapy can address all symptoms, and many overlap with other conditions, making menopause challenging to manage.

Hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for hot fla