PODCAST
When 'You Can't Take HRT' Means 'Your Doctor Hasn't Read the Evidence'
June 16, 2026·13:43·Episode 59
Quick Summary
The New York Times framed this weekend's piece as women being 'left out' of hormone therapy. We take a closer look at one of the three women profiled and argue that at least one of these stories isn't a contraindication — it's a provider-knowledge gap. The Menopause Society's own 2022 position on transdermal estrogen and clot risk has been clear for years; the question is whether your doctor has read it.
When 'You Can't Take HRT' Means 'Your Doctor Hasn't Read the Evidence'
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Key Takeaways
- ✦The Menopause Society's 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement says transdermal routes and lower doses may decrease the risk of VTE compared to oral estrogen
- ✦Dr. Stephanie Faubion, quoted in the same NYT piece, is the medical director of The Menopause Society — and has been publishing on the route-of-administration distinction for years
- ✦Dr. Rajita Patil at UCLA called the provider-knowledge gap 'humongous'; many clinicians are still not up to speed on transdermal estrogen, micronized progesterone, or testosterone
- ✦If you have been told you can't take HRT: ask whether the 'no' was about oral or transdermal, ask if your provider has read the Menopause Society position statement, and ask for a referral to a menopause-certified clinician
Sources & References
Hot Flasher provides informational content only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical concerns.