Vaginal Estrogen, HRT and Cancer: The Facts You Need to Know

Many women are left navigating menopause with fear, confusion or very little support, especially when cancer or early menopause is part of their story. This episode brings clarity to some of the most misunderstood areas of midlife health, from surgical menopause and abrupt hormone loss to the challenges older women face when they were never offered HRT in the first place.

Dr Corinne Menn, OB-GYN, menopause specialist and breast cancer survivor, joins me to explain what the evidence really shows about hormones, why vaginal estrogen is safe for almost everyone, how polypharmacy affects women as they age, and what has finally changed in the way hormone therapy is being discussed.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Understand why early and surgical menopause cause more abrupt, severe symptoms and mental health effects

• Learn how lack of pre-operative counselling leads to preventable suffering

• Recognise why vaginal estrogen is safe for almost everyone, including cancer survivors

• Explore why women in their 60s–70s are returning to discuss HRT after decades of missed care

• Understand the role of shared decision-making for late-starters

• Learn how polypharmacy, SSRIs, and sedatives impact bone, brain, and sexual health

• Explore how HRT affects cholesterol, cardiovascular risk, and bone density

• Understand the implications of the FDA’s removal of the estrogen black-box warning

If you’ve ever been told to “just cope,” felt dismissed because of your cancer history, or wondered whether hormones were still an option for you, this episode brings clarity, nuance, and evidence-based reassurance.

For more resources from Dr Corinne Menn:

Visit her website: https://www.drmenn.com/

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmennobgyn/?hl=en

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Podcast Website: ⁠www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠

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Disclaimer: This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it do not constitute medical, health care or other professional advice. Information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only.

00:00:00 – Why Hormone Safety Is Being Re-Examined

00:01:14 – Meet Dr Corinne Menn

00:01:54 – What Makes Early Menopause Different

00:04:06 – HRT for Women in Their 60s and 70s

00:10:00 – Understanding HRT Risks and Benefits

00:11:03 – Polypharmacy vs Hormone Therapy

00:14:10 – Menopause, Cholesterol & Heart Health

00:16:36 – Rediscover You Program (Sponsor)

00:17:21 – FDA Removes Estrogen Black Box Warning

00:24:51 – How FDA Changes Impact Doctors

00:25:40 – What the New Label Actually Means

00:27:17 – Key Updates to Estrogen Labeling

00:29:13 – How Women on HRT Should Be Monitored

00:30:07 – Do You Need Hormone Level Testing?

00:34:33 – Managing Symptoms & Side Effects

00:35:14 – Testosterone Use After Breast Cancer

00:37:19 – Evidence on HRT After Breast Cancer

00:40:40 – Why Menopause Advocacy Matters

00:42:03 – Final Thoughts & Takeaways

* vaginal estrogen safety

* FDA black box estrogen

* menopause after cancer

* surgical menopause symptoms

* early menopause risks

* hormone therapy after breast cancer

* HRT for women over 60

* polypharmacy in menopause

* SSRI risks bone health

* cholesterol changes menopause

* HRT cardiovascular benefits

* osteoporosis prevention estrogen

* Dr Corinne Menn interview

* menopause specialist podcast

* All About You Dr Shauna Watts