Hello my friends~
How are you feeling? Sometimes I have to remind myself to breathe.
It seems like we’re being bombarded with stressors, and it’s hard to process it all. I’ve started to do TM, which has kept me more centered. More on that in another post.
Upheavals in government systems will affect everyone in every way, especially women’s access to healthcare. The most concerning are the shutdown of government sites with critical health information, which can lead to dire consequences.
CDC researchers have been instructed to remove references to or mentions of a list of forbidden terms: “Gender, transgender, pregnant person, pregnant people, LGBT, transsexual, non-binary, nonbinary, assigned male at birth, assigned female at birth, biologically male, biologically female.” “The move aims to ensure that no “forbidden terms” appear in the work.”

No question that this will adversely impact women’s access to critical health information, and stall research on already inadequate data about HRT, Hormone Replacement Therapy, also known simply as HT, and MHT for post menopausal women.
Women and their doctors are uncertain and confused. The re-evaluated 2002 Women’s Health Initiative study is still sometimes cited as the reason doctors do not prescribe HT, and it accounts for the decline in use in recent decades. This decrease in MHT use is likely reflective of the widely publicized initial results of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) trial,3 which was published in July 2002. Just a few years later the science had evolved, but prescriptions of HT had greatly declined.
The JAMA article, Recent Trends in Menopausal Hormone Therapy Use in the US provides current insights, disparities, and implications for practice.
MHT remains the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms, and professional societies in North America recommend it primarily for managing vasomotor symptoms, genitourinary syndromes, and bone loss arising from menopause. It might be right for you, or not…
My story: From around 40-45 I had all of the symptoms of perimenopause but had no idea what it was. Vasomotor (sweating), rapid irregular heartbeat (I sought out a cardiologist for tachycardia, which led to some scary tests and diagnosis of a possible – thankfully nonexistent heart condition), sleep disturbances, fibroids, headaches, anxiety, brain fog, vaginal dryness, thinning hair, and the emotional roller coaster made it difficult to function day-to-day. Knowing nothing about perimenopause, it never occurred to me to speak to my ob/gyn until age 51 in 2005. He was ahead of the new science regarding benefits of HT. He prescribed estrogen gel and progesterone – the clouds lifted, and physical symptoms dissipated.
No doctor or legitimate scientist would suggest that every woman should use HRT or MHT. Learn everything you can about risk/benefits, dosages, and administration of HT (there are options). Avoid advice from influencers selling supplements. step away from anyone suggesting compounded hormones, or bio identical hormones, which are custom-made hormone preparations not regulated by the FDA, often marketed as “natural”. There is no scientific evidence that these are better than traditional hormone therapy. In fact, there is evidence that BHRT may be dangerous.
Find a doctor you trust, who really listens to you, and decide together what’s right for you. Meanwhile eat good food (not too much, and plenty of protein, healthy carbs, and fat), exercise to build muscle, take supplements if you want to (do your research!) from companies with third-party certification.
Scientists learn from research which is constantly evolving. Now science is on hold. Women will suffer as Trump dismantles healthcare in real time. For solid women’s health science, Dr Jen Gunther is a great resource. Check out Feisty Menoopause for articles on nutrition, exercise, and health written by vetted doctors and experts.
Meanwhile let’s stay healthy and strong for the long game.
Onward~
x
Polli