Big News About Hormone Therapy
The FDA has officially begun the process of removing the black box warning from hormone replacement therapy (HRT) products.
Dr. Nancy Tarlow and I unpacked what this means, and why it matters, on her Blueprint to Heal podcast.
🎥Watch our full discussion on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ex6Cr_Ni-8s
Before 2002, HRT was commonly prescribed to help women navigate perimenopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness, weight gain, and sleep disturbances.
Everything changed after the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study reported an increased risk of blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, and breast cancer in women on HRT.
What many people don’t realize is that the women in that study were, on average, 63 years old and were placed on high-dose synthetic estrogen, not the same therapies commonly used today.
The WHI results led to an FDA black box warning, and for over 20 years, both patients and providers have been understandably cautious.
But with more and more young, healthy women struggling with perimenopause, experts have long questioned whether the black box warning is appropriate for this population.
Many modern therapies now use bioidentical hormones, which are structurally identical to what the body naturally produces.
These options appear to carry a much lower risk for blood clots, heart disease, and certain cancers, especially when started early in the menopausal transition.
Of course, HRT is just one tool. Before starting hormone therapy, I always recommend women focus on the foundations that strongly influence hormonal balance:
Eating a whole-foods diet rich in protein, healthy fat, and fiber
Prioritizing resistance training and regular cardio
Managing stress intentionally
Improving sleep quality (aim for at least 7 hours)
Reducing exposure to hormone disruptors (BPA in plastics, phthalates in personal care products, and forever chemicals in nonstick pans)
HRT isn’t right for everyone, but for many women, it can be life-changing when used appropriately and safely.
If you’d like to explore holistic, personalized options for perimenopause care, you can schedule a meet-and-greet with me here:
👉 https://calendly.com/drlarry-hearthstonefamilycare/meet-and-greet?month=2025-07