Powerful piece, thank you for highlighting the massive discrepancy between genders. I do wonder however, about your comment of HRT becoming ‘mainstream’, currently only 10-15% of eligible women receive this in the UK and it’s less in the US. Given the significant benefits of this treatment to bone, brain, heart and generally feeling better during peri- and menopause, why is there not increased funding to educate and improve access to this basic medicine. The cost effectiveness of such an investment would surely be very positive.
Kate, thank you for raising this. You’re absolutely right. Uptake today is still very low, especially in the UK and US. When I wrote “becoming mainstream,” I meant more in terms of cultural conversation and market momentum than actual adoption rates. We are finally seeing MHT and hormone health enter the public dialogue, new clinics and digital platforms are normalizing it, and women themselves are demanding more.
But as you highlight, that shift in narrative hasn’t yet translated into access. Until reimbursement, physician training, and policy catch up, MHT will remain far from universal, which is exactly the point.
What you've been describing in this article is basically gender affirming care, but for cisgender men and women of a certain age. It's with this lens that also transgender care is underfunded and understudied. And now being attacked by the federal government.
I'm so scared to go through peri and menopause because I am afraid I will be ignored or dismissed. We women make up 50% of the human population but the medical field doesn't give a shit about us and it's horrifying
This is why I and many others do this work Talsong. So that those that come after us can benefit from the science-backed innovation that improve our quality of life and healthspan. It takes a village and it starts with making the blindspots visible. Thank you for being here!
I have said this was a crime while big pharma started the dick drugs. If they had chosen to focus on women’s health and specifically researched menopause they may not have needed to produce the dick drugs in the first place. Obviously these were decisions made by men……
Thank you so much for this evidence backed super informative piece. I am shifting into the peri-age range and while no symptoms yet, feel confident to advocate for myself when the time comes. ❤️
You are amazing! This brought me to tears! As we approach the opportunity for higher consciousness, the bright lights reveal the dark corners. And this is a deep one. Thanks. 💚
Thank you so much for your note Kathleen. I am so happy this resonated. We move the needle by making the blindspots visible and then acting on them. Thank you for being here. I am deeply grateful!
Thank you for shining a spotlight on this important issue. I am 53, and I'm in menopause. So far, my hot flashes have been mild. I don't have other symptoms. However, I will bring up hormones to my doctor. I want to be proactive with my health.
Thank you for writing this piece. I’m 41 but I’ve been dealing with hormones ever since I was diagnosed with hormone sensitive breast cancer at the ripe “old” age of 33 and 6 weeks pregnant. They told me to terminate my very much wanted pregnancy, to survive. Only to be put through another hormonal event of growing my eggs for an egg retrieval a few weeks later since I had/have no living children. Only to be put in chemical menopause a few weeks later to endure chemotherapy. 7 years later of hormone blockers on and off, and mind you still having my monthly periods (because my body can’t take a hint) I also realized that I have PMDd. I truly and honestly feel like a prisoner in this body. Im cancer free, yay, but the permanent damage is done. Im 41, ive lost all my friends and family (except for my devoted husband) due to my issues that no one can help me with. My medical issues make everything a catch 22. Can’t go on birth control to help the hormones because the cancer may return. Don’t want to go into permanent menopause yet because I already have osteopenia because of cancer treatment. My whole life is a catch 22.
Powerful piece, thank you for highlighting the massive discrepancy between genders. I do wonder however, about your comment of HRT becoming ‘mainstream’, currently only 10-15% of eligible women receive this in the UK and it’s less in the US. Given the significant benefits of this treatment to bone, brain, heart and generally feeling better during peri- and menopause, why is there not increased funding to educate and improve access to this basic medicine. The cost effectiveness of such an investment would surely be very positive.
Kate, thank you for raising this. You’re absolutely right. Uptake today is still very low, especially in the UK and US. When I wrote “becoming mainstream,” I meant more in terms of cultural conversation and market momentum than actual adoption rates. We are finally seeing MHT and hormone health enter the public dialogue, new clinics and digital platforms are normalizing it, and women themselves are demanding more.
But as you highlight, that shift in narrative hasn’t yet translated into access. Until reimbursement, physician training, and policy catch up, MHT will remain far from universal, which is exactly the point.
What you've been describing in this article is basically gender affirming care, but for cisgender men and women of a certain age. It's with this lens that also transgender care is underfunded and understudied. And now being attacked by the federal government.
I'm so scared to go through peri and menopause because I am afraid I will be ignored or dismissed. We women make up 50% of the human population but the medical field doesn't give a shit about us and it's horrifying
This is why I and many others do this work Talsong. So that those that come after us can benefit from the science-backed innovation that improve our quality of life and healthspan. It takes a village and it starts with making the blindspots visible. Thank you for being here!
I'm going through menopause and have yet to bring it up to my doctor.
I have said this was a crime while big pharma started the dick drugs. If they had chosen to focus on women’s health and specifically researched menopause they may not have needed to produce the dick drugs in the first place. Obviously these were decisions made by men……
Thank you so much for this evidence backed super informative piece. I am shifting into the peri-age range and while no symptoms yet, feel confident to advocate for myself when the time comes. ❤️
You are amazing! This brought me to tears! As we approach the opportunity for higher consciousness, the bright lights reveal the dark corners. And this is a deep one. Thanks. 💚
Thank you so much for your note Kathleen. I am so happy this resonated. We move the needle by making the blindspots visible and then acting on them. Thank you for being here. I am deeply grateful!
Thank you for sharing 🙏
You are most welcome Alice
Thank you 😊
So welcome Ellen!
Thank you for shining a spotlight on this important issue. I am 53, and I'm in menopause. So far, my hot flashes have been mild. I don't have other symptoms. However, I will bring up hormones to my doctor. I want to be proactive with my health.
Thank you for writing this piece. I’m 41 but I’ve been dealing with hormones ever since I was diagnosed with hormone sensitive breast cancer at the ripe “old” age of 33 and 6 weeks pregnant. They told me to terminate my very much wanted pregnancy, to survive. Only to be put through another hormonal event of growing my eggs for an egg retrieval a few weeks later since I had/have no living children. Only to be put in chemical menopause a few weeks later to endure chemotherapy. 7 years later of hormone blockers on and off, and mind you still having my monthly periods (because my body can’t take a hint) I also realized that I have PMDd. I truly and honestly feel like a prisoner in this body. Im cancer free, yay, but the permanent damage is done. Im 41, ive lost all my friends and family (except for my devoted husband) due to my issues that no one can help me with. My medical issues make everything a catch 22. Can’t go on birth control to help the hormones because the cancer may return. Don’t want to go into permanent menopause yet because I already have osteopenia because of cancer treatment. My whole life is a catch 22.