11/15/2025
For 20 years, women were warned that hormone therapy could increase breast cancer and heart attack risk. Millions stopped treatment. Doctors hesitated. An entire generation suffered through menopause without relief.
But new data is forcing a massive correction.
Recent analyses of the Women’s Health Initiative — the very study that created the black box warning — show that the risks were overstated, misinterpreted, and in some cases, flat-out wrong for many women.
I covered this many years ago so its not news to anyone following here.
But now?
The FDA is officially reconsidering that black box warning.
What the Evidence Shows and HAS showed, but is new to them?
Women who start HRT in perimenopause (not ten years after menopause) show lower risks of breast cancer, stroke, and heart attack in updated data.
Estrogen-only therapy was linked with significantly lower breast cancer rates in multiple follow-up analyses.
Starting hormones earlier appears to offer protection for the heart, brain, bones, skin, and metabolic health.
The original WHI participants were, on average, 63 years old, many already with underlying conditions — not reflective of the typical woman seeking HRT today.
Why This Matters??
This isn’t a tweak.
It’s a historic reversal in women’s health.
Millions who were scared away from hormones may finally get access to safer, evidence-based care — and the relief they were denied for decades.
Before You Start HRT
Even with the rollback, women still need:
A personalized risk assessment
Discussion of family history
Monitoring over time
The right type and dose of hormone (transdermal vs oral matters)
Not every woman is a candidate, but far more are than we were told for the last two decades.
The Bottom Line
The science has changed.
The FDA is updating.
And for the first time in 20 years, women may finally get accurate, modern, evidence-based guidance on hormone therapy.
This shift will transform menopause care — and possibly your long-term health.
