Hormone Therapy Myths Debunked: HRT Safety, Cancer Risk, and the Real WHI Story

Hormones are risky. Hormones cause cancer. Hormones are dangerous.

Esther hears these myths every day. In this solo episode, she breaks down where the fear came from (including what actually happened with the Women’s Health Initiative study), what the research says now, and why hormone support can be one of the most protective tools we have for midlife health.

You’ll learn how estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone impact the brain, thyroid, heart, metabolism, bones, and the genitourinary system. Esther also shares the exact labs to request, why “normal” is not the same as optimal, and how to think about hormone timing, dosing, and delivery methods.

What you’ll learn

• Why the 2002 WHI study created a hormone panic, and what was flawed about it
• Why timing and delivery method matter (topical vs oral, bioidentical vs synthetic)
• How hormones affect mood, brain fog, sleep, cholesterol, insulin resistance, and belly fat
• The truth about HRT and cancer risk, heart disease, and clotting
• The “cheat sheet” for progesterone, testosterone, estrogen, and vaginal estrogen
• The bloodwork Esther recommends for midlife women (thyroid, metabolic, inflammation, hormones)
• Why birth control is not hormone replacement, and what to consider in perimenopause
• Alcohol’s impact on sleep, thyroid, and hormones in midlife

Connect with Esther

• Website: estherblum.com
• Instagram: @gorgeousesther

Resources & Links

• Esther’s book: See Ya Later, Ovulator (testing chapter mentioned)
• Dr. Lisa Mosconi (menopause brain)
• Dr. Pam Smith (cardiovascular protection and hormones)
• Dr. Will Cole quote: “Let no be your multivitamin”
• Mentioned names: Jonathan Wright, Alan Gaby, McCall McPherson
• Join the Midlife Realignment community: estherblum.com/community
• Learn more about Esther’s program: Make Menopause Your B*tch™ Elite estherblum.com/elite

Share this episode

Know someone who’s been told “hormones are dangerous” or “just deal with it”? Send them this episode. Esther made it to be shared with friends, sisters, daughters, and yes, doctors.

Connect with Esther on Instagram, LinkedIn, or at estherblum.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for education only and is not medical advice.