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Contributed by Members of the Menopause Association
A 45-year-old personal trainer walked into our clinic carrying 40 extra pounds he couldn’t shed. He tracked every calorie. Followed every protocol. Lifted weights religiously. We discovered his growth hormone
She whispered five words that changed everything: “I feel like I’m disappearing.” The 44-year-old mother sat across from us, hands folded tightly in her lap. Her eyes were rimmed red
Women enter menopause ready for wisdom. Their bodies shift. Their needs evolve. Yet conventional medicine often reduces this profound transition to a collection of symptoms requiring standardized treatments. This approach
If you have not yet experienced menopause then the terms hormone replacement therapy may sound foreign to you. As the terms suggest, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment aimed
The first question we hear about hormone therapy isn’t about effectiveness or dosing. It’s always the same: “Will this give me cancer?” This fear dominates every conversation, whether patients are
When we hear the word cholesterol, most people immediately think of something negative. But the truth is — cholesterol is essential for your body to function properly. Without it, your hormones, brain, and
Your symptoms aren’t random accidents. They’re your body’s way of communicating. Yet conventional medicine often treats each symptom as an isolated event, prescribing solutions that mask the message rather than
Are you frustrated with stubborn weight gain? Lakeside Holistic has the answers you’ve been searching for. Dive into our insightful article that highlights the 10 hormones responsible for weight gain
The thyroid and menopause connection remains one of medicine’s most overlooked relationships. As a functional medicine practitioner, I’ve observed how frequently thyroid dysfunction masquerades as typical menopause symptoms, leaving women
I could barely get through a day’s work without wanting to run home and go to bed. The debilitating fatigue hit me like a wall. Hot flashes interrupted my sleep.
When hormones shift, weight gain often follows, but the reason why goes deeper than most doctors look. We see it in our practice every day: women who’ve maintained a healthy
Have you ever wondered what fuels your moments of joy and contentment? It turns out, the secret lies in the beautiful dance of hormones within our bodies, orchestrating moments of
Menopause transforms your metabolism at a cellular level. This transformation isn’t a malfunction but a deliberate biological shift that requires equally deliberate nutritional and lifestyle responses. We often hear about
We deserve more than survival during menopause. We deserve to flourish. For too long, conventional medicine has treated menopause as a collection of symptoms to endure rather than a transition to
When hormones shift in midlife, Hashimoto’s often lurks in the shadows. As a healthcare provider specializing in women’s health, I’ve observed a concerning pattern. Many women attribute all their midlife
For too long, women have navigated menopause with incomplete information, outdated research, and limited options. The conversation is finally changing. As an endocrinologist focused on women’s hormonal health, I’ve witnessed
Ah, menopause – the time when hot flashes become a fashionable accessory and mood swings rival rollercoaster rides. While we jest, there’s no denying that this phase of a woman’s
At Venture Wellness, we understand that stress is a part of life. Whether it’s from work, family responsibilities, or health concerns, it’s something we all face. However, many people don’t
As women journey through midlife, it’s essential to understand the distinctions between perimenopause and menopause. These are distinct phases with unique symptoms and require different management strategies. As an OB-GYN
I remember the exact moment I realized menopause treatment needed a complete overhaul. For decades, we’ve treated menopause as something women simply endure. Hot flashes? Night sweats? Weight gain that
Can menopause symptoms be safely comforted with bioidentical hormones? Recent research suggests that menopause can be treated with bioidentical hormones, a natural replacement for a woman’s body, with no reported
Women struggle alone. Their bodies change. Medical professionals dismiss symptoms as “just aging.” The journey through menopause represents one of healthcare’s greatest blind spots, leaving millions searching for answers beyond
Women deserve better. Throughout history, menopause has been relegated to whispers and discomfort, treated as a collection of symptoms to endure rather than a profound transition to embrace. This natural
Your body is under attack from within. Every day, a process called oxidative stress damages your cells, and carrying excess weight dramatically accelerates this invisible assault. After decades of treating
A high-profile FDA panel convened in July 2025 sparked a pivotal public reckoning with the way hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause is regulated and understood in the U.S. Leading experts challenged outdated warnings rooted in decades-old studies, highlighting mounting evidence for the safety and benefits of modern HRT—especially when initiated early. The meeting underscored both the scientific and human costs of regulatory inertia, signaling a major shift in national menopause care.
Dr. Hirsch challenged the outdated fear surrounding hormone therapy, especially the legacy of the WHI study. She called for removing the black box warning and advocated for patient-centered care, emphasizing the importance of educating both clinicians and the public with current evidence.
Dr. Levy addressed the FDA’s black box warning, arguing it fails to reflect modern science. She focused on the distinction between systemic and local hormones and urged the FDA to revise its labeling to prevent unnecessary suffering and restore trust in HRT.
Dr. Pinkerton delivered a powerful call to action, urging removal of the black box warning on hormone therapies. She emphasized the proven benefits of early intervention and called the outdated label a barrier to equitable, evidence-based care for millions of women.
Dr. Simon highlighted how the timing of hormone therapy dramatically affects risk and benefit. With proper initiation and patient selection, he argued, HRT is both safe and effective—and current policy should reflect this individualized, modern approach to care.
Dr. Sarrel reframed menopause as a public-health crisis when left untreated. He emphasized HRT’s role not just in symptom relief, but in improving mood and reducing anxiety, calling for broader recognition of its mental health benefits in regulatory policy.
Dr. Brinton presented compelling research linking menopause-related hormone loss to Alzheimer’s risk. She explained how timely hormone therapy may protect brain function and called for smarter regulation that reflects newly emerging neurobiological evidence.
Dr. Wright focused on estrogen’s bone-preserving power, presenting HRT as the most effective therapy for preventing fractures. She argued that the black box warning deters life-saving interventions and must be removed to improve aging outcomes for women.
Dr. Casperson highlighted gender disparities in hormone access, particularly the FDA’s failure to approve testosterone for women. She underscored how regulatory bias leaves women under-treated and pushed for fair, evidence-based therapeutic options.
Dr. Minkin debunked myths about vaginal estrogen and condemned the black box warning as unsupported and damaging. She emphasized that low-dose vaginal therapy is safe and critical, and that outdated warnings harm both access and public perception.
Dr. Rubin argued that vaginal estrogen is both essential and safe, yet remains stigmatized by outdated labeling. She showed the costs—clinical and economic—of withholding proven therapies, and advocated for removing regulatory barriers to access.
Dr. Hodis emphasized that hormone therapy, when started early, improves survival and lowers cardiovascular risk. He advocated for a stratified approach to HRT labeling and urged the FDA to align regulatory guidance with decades of timing-specific data.
Your doctor prescribes sleep aids for insomnia. Antidepressants for mood swings. Hormone therapy for hot flashes. Each symptom gets its own prescription. Each problem gets
Medical school taught us to fear hormones. We learned that hormone replacement therapy was dangerous. That women should suffer through menopause. That the risks always
Working healthy habits into your daily routines is an important part of growing older, but it can be challenging for many women to find the
On July 17, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hosted a landmark expert panel to address longstanding controversies surrounding hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Dr. Howard Hodis, professor of medicine and a landmark figure in cardiovascular research, delivered a thorough analysis of how HRT timing determines its effect profile.
Dr. Rachel S. Rubin, fellowship-trained urologist and sexual medicine expert, used her time to elevate the discussion around genital and urinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).
Mary Jane Minkin, MD, veteran OB/GYN and menopause educator, presented a comprehensive critique of the “one-size-fits-all” black box warning on estrogen therapies, focusing especially on
Dr. Kelly Casperson brought a unique perspective as a urologist and sexual health expert, focusing attention on the regulatory and clinical neglect faced by women
Dr. Vonda Wright, a leading authority on musculoskeletal health and aging, offered a no-nonsense appraisal of estrogen’s role in maintaining bone health after menopause. Describing
Roberta Diaz Brinton, PhD, a neuroscientist and international authority in women’s brain health, broadened the scope of the panel by linking menopause to the rising
Dr. Philip Sarrel presented a compelling case for expanding hormonal therapy conversations to encompass mental as well as physical health. Citing epidemiological studies and his
Dr. James Simon, an eminent clinical researcher in menopause and hormone therapy, delivered a nuanced exploration of how the timing of hormone replacement profoundly influences
Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton, a prominent leader in gynecology and menopause care, presented a passionate and evidence-back call to overhaul FDA boxed warnings on hormonal therapies.
Dr. Barbara Levy, a renowned gynecologist and specialist in women’s health, spoke with urgency about the need to update FDA warnings on hormone therapy for
Dr. Heather Hirsch’s presentation powerfully challenged longstanding dogma around hormone therapy (HRT) for menopause. Citing her experience as an internist with advanced women’s health training,
Menopause is reached when a woman’s body stops producing the reproductive hormones that cause the monthly menstrual flow. A woman is said to have reached
Due to the lack of estrogen and testosterone, a woman’s body and sexual drive may change after menopause. Women going through menopause or who have
Night sweats are drenching sweats that are serious enough to soak through clothes and bedding and disturb one’s sleep. Although sweating produces a healthy cooling
Maca herb is a natural supplement rich in nutrients that can help manage the various symptoms associated with menopause. Everybody wants to live a balanced
If you’ve been feeling more exhausted and unmotivated thoroughly, fatigue is a common symptom of menopause. While some women experience mild fatigue, others experience severe
You might find it more difficult to maintain your normal weight as you age. This is something to keep in mind. The menopause transition is
When you turn 50, it’s time to use everything you’ve learned about healthy living. You should know when you need to get examined and how
Vitamin B12 is important for healthy nerve cells and blood and is also needed to make DNA, the genetic material in every body cell. Vitamin
There are many ways that a person’s age at menopause can affect their health. Early or premature menopause can have several bad effects, such as
It is not a secret that we all cope with significantly greater stress than we are accustomed to. However, you should know that this additional
Menopausal symptoms cause fatigue; however, this article discusses how to beat it and boost your energy. Perimenopause, which precedes menopause and marks the formal end
Coffee is our go-to drink. We take it first thing in the morning and many times during the day. It increases energy levels. Drinking coffee
Toxic overload is a general body condition that is an excess accumulation of toxins in one’s body. These toxins are harmful substances capable of causing
A hot flash is a sudden and intense feeling of heat that causes profuse sweating and a flushed face. It occurs particularly in the upper
It is normal for women to have mood swings and irritability during menopause because of hormonal fluctuations and other physical changes. Menopause can bring either
You can’t talk about the most common pain conditions without including headaches. In the United States of America, one out of every six people has
When most of us think of menopause, the image that typically comes to mind is that of a lady dripping with sweat while standing in
Herbs are a wide group of plants humans have used for various purposes for hundreds of years, making them an indispensable resource. While some thrive
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