Hormone therapy myths
Today we are going to dispel some damaging myths when it comes to hormone replacement therapy.
Much of the fear started with the publication of the Women’s Health Initiative. This large scale study that started in 1991. This study showed an increase risk of stroke. There was a slight decrease in breast cancer rates with women treated with estrogen only but an increase in breast cancer rates in women being treated with both estrogen and progestin. Once the information was published there was panic in the community and many women stopped their hormone therapy leaving them to deal the symptoms of menopause and aging.
The problem is this study was performed with CONJUGATED EQUINE ESTROGEN and PROGESTIN. After the study whenever anyone talked about hormone replacement therapy, they lumped these negative outcomes with all hormone therapy. Conjugated equine estrogen and progestin are much different than E2 estradiol and P4 progesterone which are bio-identical.
The exact drug and the route of administration matters. Synthetic progestin is much different than bio-identical progesterone. Likewise oral estrogen has been linked to increase risk of clotting but when you change the route to transdermal or pellets you bypass the liver and you no longer have the increased rates of clotting.
In fact in 2017 the exact same authors of the Women’s Health Initiative stated that the use of estrogen and synthetic progestin for an average of 5.6 years or use of estrogen alone for an average of 7.2 years was not associated with risk of all-cause, cardiovascular, or cancer mortality during a cumulative follow-up of 18 years.
In 2020 those same authors of the Women’s Health Initiative again said they were wrong.
After following these women for 20 years they were less likely to get and die from breast cancer. Premerin (estrogen) is the only drug shown to DECREASE the incidence of breast cancer and mortality from breast cancer
The North American Menopause Society updated their position in 2017 stating that hormone therapy should be an individualized approach, no longer the lowest dose for shortest period. In November 2025 the FDA removed the black box warning on hormone therapy, acknowledging that earlier studies overestimated risks and undertreated symptoms. This update removed warnings for heart disease, breast cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease from labels.
Hormone therapy can lead to reduction in certain cancers, heart disease, osteoporosis, chronic pain, inflammation, strokes, Alzheimer’s disease, and more. Hormone therapy can improve energy, libido, mood, cognition, among others.
We are glad you are following along with this recent blog series. In our next blog post we will start diving into the specific hormones, starting first with estrogen. Remember to follow our Facebook and Instagram pages, Maple Leaf Health and Wellness Community, so you are alerted when a new blog is posted. As always if you have any questions or are ready to get your health back on track you can reach out to us at 219-777-2670. Have a great day!
How to Schedule an Appointment with Maple Leaf Health and Wellness
To make an appointment with one of our providers click our sign up button. Choose a provider and you will be able to choose an appointment time that works for you.
Thank you for reading and I hope you have a wonderful day,
-Dan and Janae with Maple Leaf Health and Wellness