Let’s talk about hormone replacement therapy, a topic Dr. Marty Makary dives into in his book Blind Spots. For decades, women were told that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was dangerous—a stance that denied many the significant health benefits that research actually supports. Studies show that HRT can reduce the risk of breast cancer by 35%, lower all-cause mortality by 39%, decrease fracture risk by 50-60%, and, when started early, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. So why did we tell women it was a bad idea for so long?
Dr. Makary explains what went wrong. In 2002, the initial findings of the Women’s Health Initiative were rushed through with less than two hours of review by the expert panel. The results weren’t statistically significant, but the researchers behind the study pushed the narrative that “Hormone Therapy Causes Breast Cancer” to grab headlines. Experts who challenged the flawed analysis were removed from the panel, with some facing devastating professional consequences.
Now, two decades later, follow-up studies on the same women reveal the substantial benefits of HRT that were overlooked. If you’re considering HRT, it’s worth having a conversation with your doctor to explore the latest research and determine what’s right for you.
