Estrogen Matters

Why Taking Hormones in Menopause Can Improve and Lengthen Women's Lives—Without Raising the Risk of Breast Cancer

By: Avrum Bluming, Carol Tavris

Narrated by: Avrum Bluming, Carol Tavris

A compelling, “fascinating” (Robert Cialdini) defense of hormone replacement therapy, exposing the faulty science behind its fall from prominence and giving women the evidence they need to make informed decisions about their health. Now fully revised and updated.

"Estrogen Matters was my antidote to the misinformation surrounding menopause. This book should be the bible for every single person going through menopause.”―Naomi Watts

For years, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was the medically approved way to alleviate menopausal symptoms (ranging from hot flushes to brain fog) and reduce the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer's, and osteoporosis. But when a large study by the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) announced, with national fanfare, that women taking HRT had an increased risk of breast cancer, women were scared off, and the treatment was abandoned.

Now, Dr. Bluming, a medical oncologist, and Dr. Tavris, a social psychologist, reveal the true story of the WHI’s efforts to distort their data to exaggerate unsupported claims of estrogen’s harms. Important updates in this edition include:

• Evidence that demolishes the WHI’s claim that HRT causes breast cancer.
• A list of the WHI’s retractions of their original scare stories.
• Updated findings on estrogen’s benefits on heart, brain, bones, and longevity.
• A critical review of the alternative products and medications being marketed to treat symptoms of menopause.

A sobering and revelatory listen, Estrogen Matters sets the record straight on estrogen’s benefits, providing a light to guide women through this inevitable phase of life.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2018, 2024 Avrum Bluming, MD, and Carol Tavris, PhD (P)2024 Little, Brown Spark

Critic reviews

“Estrogen Matters unravels the intricate web of science, medicine, and gender politics surrounding estrogen therapy. In their unflinching exploration, with meticulous research and a fearless examination of medical dogma, Drs. Bluming and Tavris illuminate the complex terrain of estrogen's effects on women's health. The result is an excellent resource for women.”—Peter Attia, MD, author of Outlive

"Estrogen Matters was my antidote to the misinformation surrounding menopause. This book should be the bible for every single person going through menopause and every single doctor out there.”—Naomi Watts

"How could one flawed scientific conclusion become a persuasive juggernaut that changed the practice of women's health worldwide? In their fascinating account, Bluming and Tavris challenge that conclusion and unpack the reasons for its remarkable impact."—Robert B. Cialdini, author of Influence

Excellent

Tons of research here. i didn't check it, but there are so many studies cited that one could easily check. So much info on cancer and HRT. Narration good as well. I've also read Haver's book. I've battled for ten months to get HRT post-hysyerectomy and now feel this should be a subset off gyn care. Gyns are not the same. Seek several NAMS opinions as not all of them are equal either. And educate yourself.

How they got it wrong!!

How the author showed the truth and proof of how HRT is beneficial for women going through menopause.

Wish I read it 10 years ago

This was a well researched and written book. I have been in healthcare all my adult life and was even a researcher in endocrinology when I was young. However, the misinformation that is out there has been daunting. I will never believe a single study again without reading it myself or looking for other meta analysis to corroborate the findings. I hope every woman reads or listens to this fantastic book. You do not need to understand healthcare terminology, though it is helpful, to appreciate this book. Many women will understand and identify with the challenges and misinformation detailed in this book.

Knowledge is power

This book help me understand the pros and cons of estrogen. I have a much better understanding of how estrogen can benefit me and the risks involved. Allowing me to make an informed decision about my health.

Excellent information and a must read for every woman heading into menopause

I was encouraged to read this book by a Physician Assistant friend of mine who has special certification in menopause. It challenged my previous thinking about Hormone Replacement Therapy and the authors heavily supported their viewpoints with facts based on solid research. I am super grateful for what I have learned and will be using the information to help myself and other women in my sphere of influence during this season of transition

Life-changing facts and options for the change of life!

This book is both a life changing summary of information for women before, during, and after menopause, it is a journalistic essay setting bad science straight regarding the safety and benefits of HRT. Doctors went like sheep for decades, following a small group’s biased misinterpretation of research to such an extreme that false information became widely accepted as fact and many millions of women were denied treatment that would have reduced their risks of dementia, osteoporosis, and cardiac disease, diabetes, hair loss, weight gain, and earlier death as well as helping them to manage common uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. Time is of the essence to listen to this book and to bring a copy to your doctor.

Wtf is wrong with this country? The press? Biased researchers???

Every perimenopausal woman should read this book. I'm not sure why the evidence of post menopausal hormone therapy is so convoluted, but every woman has the right to an evidence based decision about HRT/estrogen replacement.
I'm a 54 year old ER doctor. Let me summarize my experience: brain fog, hot flashes, mood swings, peeing 2-4 times a night, every 2-3 hours when awake, not sleeping well, near complete loss of my sex drive, and did I mention that I couldn't think!!! I'm happily on HRT 6 months now; what a difference!!
It really pisses me off to think of all the women who have suffered needlessly, all the years of life lost because the protective benefits of estrogen were swept under the carpet. The WHI dick-bags that put their own agenda ahead of the actual science, the G_d-damn mongering press, all of it just disgusts me! Clearly there is no accountability for them in this life, let's hope there is in the next!! Karma, we are counting on you!!!

Excellent if you’re considering HRT

Well organized and the right level of detail. Highly recommend. If I had one criticism it’s that the authors are sometimes snarky in their criticism of others for being overly invested in their theories, which made me think that the authors were also overly invested in their own conclusion that HRT is safe no matter what a particular study found. They criticize data mining, for example, then they turn around and data-mine to find reasons to dismiss the trials that showed a link between HRT and breast cancer.

Consistent description of pros and cons

Very good realistic view on HRT. Fact based and interesting descriptions. Good comparison to other studies and explained the reasoning well of the outcomes

Very informative

I’m definitely more informed after reading this book and recommend for anyone considering going on or staying off HRT