Commune with Jeff Krasno The New Science of Women's Health with Tamsen Fadal & Dr. Amy Killen
Nov 6, 2025
Tamsen Fadal, an Emmy-winning journalist and author, shares her personal journey through menopause, advocating for women's health awareness. Dr. Amy Killen, a longevity and women's health specialist, delves into the real implications of the 2002 Women's Health Initiative, debunking myths around hormone therapy. Together, they discuss the stages of menopause, symptoms like hot flashes and brain fog, and the benefits of vaginal estradiol. Their insights provide a roadmap for hormonal health and emphasize the importance of lifestyle changes for longevity.
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Live On-Air Hot Flash
- Tamsen Fadal described a live broadcast hot flash that left her dizzy and terrified in the studio bathroom.
- Her doctors later dismissed it as "menopause... any questions?" which inspired her book and activism.
WHI's Flawed Messaging Lasted Decades
- The 2002 Women's Health Initiative used the wrong hormones in the wrong population and released premature media statements.
- That fear led to lasting declines in hormone therapy use despite later nuanced evidence.
Timing And Type Matter For Hormone Risk
- The WHI's breast cancer signal was linked to a synthetic progestin, not estrogen, and estrogen-alone showed reduced breast cancer risk.
- Starting synthetic hormones late in menopause increased cardiovascular risks in an older, plaque-laden cohort.
