Plus, HRT is back on top, vaginal dryness relief for breast cancer survivors, and why to side-eye peptides.
Hormone therapy is finally back on top.
Remember when hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was practically a dirty word?
Now the American College of Physicians recommends hormone therapy as the first medication to try for hot flashes and night sweats during perimenopause and menopause.
It’s about damn time.
HRT isn’t right for everyone, but after decades of scary headlines and conflicting advice, it’s good to see effective treatment getting some respect.
What to ask: If hot flashes or night sweats are making your life miserable, ask whether HRT is a safe option for you.
Women ARE in more pain than men. Everywhere, actually.
A massive new study of more than 6 million people across 118 countries found that women report more pain than men in all 11 areas of the body studied. And pain climbs fastest before 55.
And here’s the kicker: When women actually ask for help with their pain, they STILL have to wait longer for pain medication. One emergency department study found women waited 76 minutes, compared with 57 minutes for men.
Because of course.
What to ask: If your pain isn’t being taken seriously, get a second opinion. Don’t let a provider dismiss what you’re feeling.
Uncle Sam finally has a menopause playbook.
Women serving in the military and women veterans now have new clinical guidelines for menopause care.
The Defense and Veterans Affairs departments released 43 recommendations covering perimenopause, menopause, treatment options, and symptoms beyond hot flashes.
Now women need to know it exists.
What to ask: If you receive military or VA care, ask how the new guidelines apply to you.
Surviving breast cancer is hard enough. Painful sex shouldn’t be part of the deal.
Surviving breast cancer is a pretty big deal without adding painful sex and vaginal dryness to the list.
A new review offers reassuring news: Low-dose vaginal estrogen may be an option when moisturizers and lubricants aren’t cutting it. Studies haven’t shown a clear increase in recurrence for most breast cancer survivors who use it.
There are still questions, especially for women taking aromatase inhibitors. That’s one to discuss with your oncology team.
Because surviving cancer shouldn’t mean giving up comfortable sex.
What to ask: Ask your oncology team whether low-dose vaginal estrogen could be safe for you.
Don’t buy the hype about peptides for menopause.
Apparently, women haven’t bought enough supplements, powders, and promises yet.
Now peptides are being marketed for menopause symptoms, better sleep, muscle recovery, and just about everything else after 40.
Some peptide-based medications are FDA-approved. But many products promoted for menopause lack sufficient evidence showing that they’re safe or effective.
That’s a pretty expensive experiment to run on yourself.
What to ask: Is this specific peptide FDA-approved, and what data supports its use for my symptoms?
Strength training doesn’t need its own skinny era.
The size-zero obsession was bad enough. Now apparently the goal is sculpted arms and visible abs.
Strength training really is good for women, especially in midlife. It helps maintain muscle, support bone health, and preserve mobility.
But does getting stronger really need to come with another impossible body standard?
You don’t need visible abs or Michelle Obama arms to benefit from lifting weights.
‘Tis the [flu] season. Get vaccinated.
Know someone in the “wait, what the hell is happening” years? Forward this to her.
See you next Friday. — Trista