April 2, 2026, 12:09 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Since April 1, a new medication for menopause symptoms has been available. The hormone-free preparation improves symptoms in a short time, as evidenced by three major studies. It also offers additional benefits.
Green light from the EU as well: After Lynkuet (Bayer) was already approved in the U.S., Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland, the new prescription menopause medication is now available in Germany. The non-hormonal drug contains the active ingredient elinzanetant and is taken as a soft capsule daily before bedtime. Incidentally, Lynkuet is not only a great support during menopause, but breast cancer patients also benefit from it.1
How Lynkuet Works for Menopause Symptoms
Hot flashes and sleep problems are particularly unpleasant symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy is considered the most effective treatment for menopause symptoms, but not every woman feels comfortable with hormonal therapy. The reputation that hormone-free alternatives are less effective might change now. Lynkuet works directly in the brain, specifically in the area that controls body temperature. It influences certain signaling pathways that have become unbalanced due to hormone decline. By acting like a thermostat, the active ingredient makes hot flashes less frequent and weaker, which automatically improves sleep.
Similarly, the medication can also alleviate symptoms in breast cancer patients. The drug helps women who suffer from hot flashes due to hormonal breast cancer therapy.
Also interesting: How menopause changes the vagina
Studies Confirmed Effectiveness
The EU’s decision to approve the menopause medication is based on three main studies and one supportive study. More than 1,800 participants took part at over 180 international locations. All three studies reached a very similar conclusion: Compared to the placebo, participants reported that hot flashes and sleep disturbances noticeably decreased after 12 weeks. This effect persisted even after 50 weeks of use, demonstrating long-term effectiveness. Overall, the women reported a significant improvement in their quality of life.
No Effect Without Side Effects
For women who consciously avoid external hormone supplements, this is good news. However, the following side effects may occur:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Feeling drowsy or tired
- Stomach pain
- Rash
- Diarrhea
- Muscle cramps
While the onset of drowsiness can be used to one’s advantage by taking it in the evening, the pharmaceutical company Bayer urges reporting any suspected known or unknown side effects to the treating physician immediately. 2
Also interesting: The ideal diet for menopause
How Women Can Tell Their Menopause Has Started
How Menopause Changes the Vagina
Overall Well Tolerated
Nevertheless, Lynkuet was well tolerated in most cases and has an acceptable safety profile. The European Medicines Agency concluded that the benefits of Lynkuet outweigh the risks, allowing it to be approved in the EU.
Gynecologist: “Has the Potential to Be a Breakthrough.”
Will Lynkuet soon positively change the lives of millions of women? “For the treatment of hot flashes, it could be a breakthrough,” says gynecologist Dr. Heid Goesslinghoff to FITBOOK. “These have been very difficult to manage until now. It is also new that this medication improves sleep.” Unfortunately, it cannot prevent osteoporosis or treat vaginal dryness.
Another important note, which Bayer also explicitly warns about: In the event of pregnancy, Lynkuet has fatal consequences for the unborn child, including developmental disorders and miscarriage. Many women mistakenly believe that pregnancy is impossible with the onset of menopause symptoms. “That’s not true. It does happen, albeit rarely,” says Goesslinghoff, an expert in fertility. “For 45-year-old women, the chance is one to two percent per cycle.” Therefore, a test should be done immediately at the slightest suspicion while taking it.