Menopause should mark the beginning of an empowered chapter for women, but too often, those searching for help are met with misinformation, fear tactics, or outright dismissal. On this episode of the Menopause Mastery Podcast, Dr. Betty Murray and guest Esther Blum, an integrative dietitian and menopause advocate, dig deep into why medical gaslighting persists—and what you can do to advocate for evidence-based care and better health during this pivotal transition.
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The FDA, HRT, and the Lingering Black Box Warning
Recently, the FDA convened to reconsider black box warnings on hormone therapy, particularly for estrogen—both vaginal and systemic. According to Dr. Murray and Esther, the science simply doesn’t support these warnings any longer, especially for vaginal estrogen, which has minimal risks and can prevent life-threatening complications like recurrent UTIs in older women.
Esther recounts stories of women, even physicians’ own family members, struggling to access such basic care—sometimes with dire consequences. These restrictions, rooted in outdated fears from the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), continue to cause unnecessary suffering.
The Fallout from a Flawed Study
The infamous WHI study linked hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to higher risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease. But this study used synthetic hormones in an older, less appropriate population. As Dr. Murray points out:
“Not a single study before or after showed that estrogen replacement increased breast cancer mortality at all. It’s complete and utter bullshit.”
Despite newer, better research, many medical professionals cling to 20-year-old headlines, keeping millions of women from evidence-backed therapies that could improve their lives and prevent chronic disease.
Medical Gaslighting: Still All Too Common
Every day, women share stories of being told their menopause symptoms are “in their heads” or unworthy of treatment. Others are told that unless they’re suffering classic hot flashes, they don’t need HRT—even as symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, and joint pain wreak havoc on their well-being.
Esther urges women to trust their own experience:
“Just because a provider tells you it isn’t so doesn’t mean it’s true. You are your own best doctor.”
Women have to fight not just for access to therapy, but for acknowledgment that their symptoms matter.
The Ongoing Debate: Symptom Relief vs. Longevity
A rift is growing between “old guard” practitioners who only allow HRT for severe symptoms, and a new generation advocating for its use in safeguarding heart, brain, and bone health.
Dr. Murray challenges the naysayers:
“Beliefs and facts are two different things…why force somebody through a natural transition when you could reduce their risk for chronic disease?”
This split leaves many women vulnerable to whichever philosophy their provider follows—not necessarily the best or most current science.
Environmental Toxins: The New Menopause Threat
Beyond medical care, Dr. Murray and Esther warn of growing threats from environmental toxins—like MRNA-sprayed produce and re-approved harmful pesticides. These changes threaten women’s hormonal health in ways that are often overlooked, and rarely discussed openly.
Take Charge: Steps to Advocate for Your Menopause Care
1. Get Informed.
Read books like Esther’s See You Later, Ovulator and “Estrogen Matters.” Know what current research really says.
2. Find the Right Provider.
Seek out doctors or clinics recommended by hormone-literate compounding pharmacies. Don’t settle for anyone who won’t listen.
3. Document Everything.
Bring a list of your symptoms and desired outcomes. Ask providers to document any refusal of treatment.
4. Bring Support.
Bring an assertive friend or family member to appointments if needed.
5. Know Your Power.
If you’re dismissed or denied care, look elsewhere. Your health, comfort, and longevity are worth the fight.
The Takeaway: You Deserve Better—Demand It
Menopause is a profound change, and it deserves more respect, better science, and empowered self-advocacy. Don’t let old myths or medical gaslighting define your health journey. Get informed, stand up for yourself, and demand the menopause care you need to thrive—through midlife and far beyond.