National Menopause Day – and guess what? It’s time to celebrate!!
You know what’s amazing? The conversation about perimenopause and menopause is happening in everyday interactions! It’s no longer a ‘taboo’ or a phase of life that women need to feel ashamed about, hide from, or feel alone as they navigate this big life change. Science has given us so much more information and resources, and when you get celebrities talking about their menopause journeys, now it’s applauded vs shunned. Ah, to be alive and navigating menopause in 2026!! Phew! At least that’s not hot-flash inducing!
What I want to talk about this week is HRT. By now, most of us have heard the old story that hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer are practically best friends. That myth came from the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative study — the one that sent an entire generation of women into menopause armed with nothing but grit, fans, and a prayer. But what many of us weren’t told is that the headline-grabbing “26% increased risk” translated to about 8 additional cases per 10,000 women per year on combination HRT. Eight. Out of ten thousand.
And here’s the part that barely made the news: women who took estrogen-only therapy (usually after hysterectomy) showed no increased breast cancer risk — and in long-term follow-up, possibly even a lower risk. Newer research also shows that the type of progesterone matters (bioidentical micronized progesterone appears gentler than older synthetic versions), and that transdermal estrogen doesn’t carry the same risk signals seen with oral forms. In other words, the science has evolved, even if the fear is still catching up.
Another thing that’s becoming clearer about menopause is that as women stop producing estrogen, there are other health risks that begin to increase. Bone density loss (osteoporosis), an increased risk of cardiovascular disease as HDL and LDL are harder to regulate, slower metabolism and weight gain, depression, and cognitive decline are all functions regulated by estrogen in the body. So while those hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings are tough to balance, there’s a lot more happening beneath the surface throughout menopause. Dang!
Now, let’s speak plainly: perimenopause and menopause are already a lot. Body temperature regulation aside, the brain fog, the sudden tears because you dropped a blueberry - none of this is for the faint of heart. If there are tools that can help, you deserve to know what they actually do, not what a headline from two decades ago implied. How you manage your hormone changes is deeply personal, much like choosing a therapist, a bra, or deciding to go organic or vegan. To be clear, in no way is this a recommendation for HRT; it’s simply clearing the fog so you can make choices based on facts, not fear.
So, if you’re feeling flustered, overwhelmed, or like your body has started hijacking you from feeling like yourself, take a breath. You’re not alone, and you’re not imagining it. Hey, this stage of life is a lot. But you deserve clarity, compassion, and maybe even a laugh while you navigate it. And most importantly: you deserve information that empowers you, not scares you. In my personal journey, I have not yet elected to pursue HRT. That is my very personal decision, and namely because I’ve found some other solutions that are working for me – for now. What I will share is that if I do decide to explore HRT, it won’t be because I don’t trust the science. Just like any decision, there are pros and cons, and it’s up to you to evaluate what makes best sense for you.
Wishing you the space to feel your best, to feel healthy, to feel radiant, and to know you’re not alone. Next week, I’ll share some other holistic avenues that support perimenopause and menopause. For now, Happy Menopause Day – because it’s actually cool to celebrate this major life transition (and any tidbits of coolness are welcome when you’re in the middle of a hot flash)!
Sent with much loving kindness ~ to you, and may you hold loving kindness for yourself ~ Jen Rizza, Founder, Newtown Wellness Collective
Research/Citations:
Original 2002 study about HRT:
Studies about the types of HRT used (2019):
Menopause & HRT risk evaluation (2024)
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