This Just In: A Layered Look at the FDA’s Hormone Label Change
There’s been a lot of buzz about the FDA removing black box warnings from certain estrogen and hormone therapies. As I say in the video, this isn’t a simple headline—it’s a layered conversation about women’s health: how the FDA protects (or doesn’t), how fear has shaped the story around hormones, the medicalization of menopause, profit motives, and the long-standing gaps in research.
Here is where I land:
Hormone therapy can help—and it’s not a magic bullet
For many women navigating a turbulent menopause, hormone therapy (HT) can ease symptoms and improve quality of life. It’s one tool in a bigger ecosystem that also includes the nervous system, gut health, sleep, movement, food, and stress. When those pieces are tended, HT often works better—and sometimes less is needed.
What I mean by “bioidentical” and “right route, right dose”
From my Hormone Therapy: What Every Woman Should Know guide:
Bioidentical hormones match what your body makes.
Common options I use:Transdermal estrogen (patch or gel)
Oral progesterone (if you have a uterus and are using systemic estrogen)
Local vaginal estrogen (tablets, creams, ring, or suppositories) for vagina-specific concerns
Potential benefits (when used thoughtfully)
Fewer hot flashes and night sweats
Better sleep and often steadier mood
Increased vaginal (and sometimes bladder) comfort
Bone and heart protection (when timed and dosed appropriately)
Healthier skin and hair
Less joint pain for some
Potential risks (why shared decision-making matters)
Uterine cancer risk if systemic estrogen is used without progesterone in anyone with a uterus
Blood clots or stroke, with higher risk in oral forms (another reason I often favor transdermal routes)
Your history, symptoms, and goals guide the choice. There is no one-size-fits-all.
How I typically approach prescribing
Consider starting within 10 years of menopause and before age 60 when appropriate
Use bioidentical options
Prefer transdermal routes when possible
Individualize dose and route, monitor your response, and adapt over time
Always include non-hormonal supports (nervous system care, movement, sleep, gut health, nutrition)
What I invite you to do next
Watch the video above for the fuller, nuanced context.
Read the guide for clear options and questions to bring to your clinician.
Tell me your questions: What’s confusing about HT? What do you want to understand about benefits, risks, timing, or forms?
Menopause is a natural transition. Hormone therapy can be a helpful tool—just not the only tool. Thoughtful, individualized care is the point.
Educational only; not a substitute for individualized medical care. Please discuss your history and options with your clinician