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Most midlife women are taking supplements — and not telling their doctors about it. A clinical dietitian at The Menopause Society 2026 Annual Meeting urged clinicians to proactively ask patients about supplement use, just as they would about prescription medications. With over 180,000 products on the market and social media driving demand, the stakes for undetected drug-supplement interactions are real.
Supplements are quietly becoming a staple of midlife women's health routines — but most clinicians have no idea. At The Menopause Society 2026 Annual Meeting, clinical dietitian Annina Burns, PhD, RDN, highlighted a striking gap: 64% of midlife women take supplements, yet 70% never mention it to their doctors. With over 180,000 supplement products on the US market and social media fueling demand (two-thirds of top menopause Instagram posts promote supplements), the risk of undetected interactions is growing fast.
Burns urged clinicians to add a dedicated supplement section to intake forms and ask patients for the exact product, brand, dose, frequency, and duration — even inviting them to bring in bottles or photos. The goal isn't to dismiss supplement use, but to assess fit within a patient's broader health strategy.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: As nutrient needs rise but calorie needs fall in midlife, supplements can play a legitimate role — but only when clinicians know what their patients are actually taking. Proactive conversations can prevent harmful interactions and help women make evidence-based choices.
