Millions of Women Are Left Out of Menopause’s Moment
The New York Times • • health
Key Points:
- Cybele Maylone, 46, cannot use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) due to her diagnosis of estrogen-fed breast cancer, which requires hormone suppression to prevent recurrence.
- Many women like Maylone feel frustrated and excluded as they see others benefiting from HRT for menopause symptoms such as reduced hot flashes, improved sleep, and clearer cognition.
- Besides breast cancer, other conditions such as endometrial cancer, cardiovascular problems, severe liver disease, and blood clotting disorders also prevent women from using hormone therapy.
- Rebecca Hastings, also 46, cannot take HRT due to a genetic mutation that increases her risk of blood clots, highlighting the diverse medical reasons some women are ineligible for hormone treatment.
- The overwhelmingly positive messaging around HRT contributes to feelings of isolation among women who cannot access this treatment despite its benefits for many experiencing menopause.
