Women’s Hormone Health Update
For decades, women have been misled about hormone therapy—largely because of the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study. That study was originally designed to evaluate cardiovascular disease prevention, not hormone therapy safety. Yet it became the defining narrative against hormones for women. Importantly, the WHI used synthetic progestins and synthetic estrogens, not the bio-identical progesterone and estradiol we use today. The data that followed unfairly painted all hormone therapy as risky.
Fast forward to now—the FDA has announced the removal of the “black-box” warning from more than twenty hormone-based therapies used for menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. This marks a major shift in women’s health policy and public understanding. Modern evidence shows that, for many women—especially those who begin therapy before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause—the benefits of hormone therapy far outweigh the risks. Properly balanced hormones protect cardiovascular health, bone density, mood stability, cognition, and overall quality of life. In fact, remaining without these critical hormones may be more detrimental than using them under appropriate supervision.
At 77 Wellness, we treat hormone optimization as part of whole-body care. Hormone therapy is never one-size-fits-all—it’s personalized based on timing, dosage, delivery method (patch vs pill), and individual health background such as cardiovascular risk or breast-cancer history. For women in perimenopause or menopause experiencing hot flashes, insomnia, fatigue, mood swings, or bone loss, we review both hormonal and non-hormonal options, along with integrative therapies, bio-identical replacement, and lifestyle interventions.
This FDA decision is a step forward in empowering women with accurate information and individualized treatment choices. At 77 Wellness, we remain committed to evidence-driven, root-cause-focused hormone care—for women and men alike—because balanced hormones are essential for longevity and vitality.
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References
1. The Women’s Health Initiative Steering Committee. JAMA. 2002;288(3):321-333.
2. Manson JE et al. Menopausal hormone therapy and health outcomes during the intervention and extended post-stopping phases of the WHI trials. JAMA. 2013;310(13):1353-1368.
3. Hodis HN, Mack WJ. Timing hypothesis and cardiovascular protection with estrogen therapy. Menopause. 2020;27(7):802-810.
4. North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Position Statement. Menopause. 2022;29(7):767-794.
5. FDA Press Release. FDA removes boxed warning for certain hormone therapy products. 2025.