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Episode 27: Hormone Therapy After Breast Cancer: What Does the Evidence Say?

In Episode 27 of the MenopauseWize Podcast, Dr. Sukhpreet Patel is joined by Dr. Corinne Menn, a board-certified OB-GYN, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, and a 24-year breast cancer survivor, to explore one of the most complex and emotionally charged topics in menopause care: hormone therapy after breast cancer.

For many women, surviving breast cancer is only part of the journey. The very treatments that save lives can abruptly trigger menopause — often with severe hot flashes, sleep disruption, anxiety, sexual pain, vaginal dryness, and profound changes in quality of life. Yet when it comes to hormone therapy, the conversation often ends quickly with a simple and definitive “no.”

But is the evidence truly that black and white?

In this thoughtful and evidence-based discussion, Dr. Menn helps us unpack:

• The difference between ER-positive and ER-negative breast cancer
• Why estrogen is intentionally lowered or blocked in certain cancers
• How chemotherapy, ovarian suppression, tamoxifen, and aromatase inhibitors induce menopause
• The difference between tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors — and why it matters
• The real-world impact of abrupt, treatment-induced menopause
• The history behind avoiding systemic hormone therapy
• The HABITS and Stockholm trials — what they showed and why their results differed
• Whether the safety discussion differs for women on tamoxifen versus aromatase inhibitors
• The severity of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause in breast cancer survivors
• What the evidence says about low-dose vaginal estrogen after breast cancer
• How to approach nuanced, individualized risk–benefit discussions

Dr. Menn brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to this conversation as a breast cancer survivor and BRCA carrier. Through her telehealth practice and educational platform, she focuses on menopause management and the unique healthcare needs of female cancer survivors and women at high risk for breast cancer.

This episode reinforces an essential message: the answer is not simplistic. It depends on receptor status, type of endocrine therapy, timing, symptom severity, and individual risk. Most importantly, it requires informed, shared decision-making.

Breast cancer survivors deserve not only longevity — they deserve quality of life.

You can follow Dr. Corinne Menn on Instagram at @drmennobgyn, where she shares thoughtful, evidence-based insights on menopause and survivorship care.

As always, this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute individual medical advice. Please consult your healthcare team for personalized guidance.

Join us for this important and nuanced convers

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The information provided in all episodes of the MenopauseWize podcast, including content shared by Sukhpreet Patel or any guest or representative, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for professional healthcare consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.

SheRise Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., MenopauseWize, Sukhpreet Patel, or any representative will not be held responsible or liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use or reliance on the information provided in this podcast. Listeners are encouraged to use the information at their own discretion and always seek advice from a licensed medical professional before making any healthcare decisions.

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In this powerful episode of the MenopauseWize podcast, we’re joined by one of the most influential voices in the menopause space—Dr. Louise Newson. Based in the UK, Dr. Newson is a physician, women's hormone specialist, and a member of the UK Government’s Menopause Taskforce. She is widely credited with revolutionizing the conversation around hormone health, challenging outdated narratives, and helping women reclaim informed choice through education and empowerment.

Together, we tackle the most common fears and misconceptions that continue to create confusion around Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) / Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)—for both women and their healthcare providers. From the lingering shadows of the WHI study to myths about family history, cancer risk, and "natural" alternatives, this episode breaks down complex science into clear, accessible guidance.

Key Questions We Explore:

• “Hormone therapy causes breast cancer”—what does the evidence really say?
• What about women who say they’re “doing fine” and don’t need hormones?
• Are “natural remedies” safer than regulated body-identical HRT?
• Can calcium and vitamins alone protect your bones in menopause?
• Why is waiting 12 months post-period to start HRT an outdated idea?
• Do you only need hormone therapy if symptoms are “severe”?
• What role does testosterone play in women’s health?
  
  

Whether you’re a woman navigating menopause or a clinician seeking to better support your patients, this episode offers a science-backed, stigma-free look at why hormone therapy deserves a place in the conversation—and often, in the care plan.

Support the show

The information provided in all episodes of the MenopauseWize podcast, including content shared by Sukhpreet Patel or any guest or representative, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for professional healthcare consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.

SheRise Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., MenopauseWize, Sukhpreet Patel, or any representative will not be held responsible or liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use or reliance on the information provided in this podcast. Listeners are encouraged to use the information at their own discretion and always seek advice from a licensed medical professional before making any healthcare decisions.

Have something to share? Send us a text!

In this episode of the MenopauseWize Podcast, Dr. Sukhpreet Patel is joined by Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein, orthopaedic surgeon, sports medicine specialist, Associate Professor at Duke University School of Medicine, and author of The Complete Bone and Joint Health Plan, for an in-depth conversation on bone health during menopause.

Bone loss begins silently — often years before a diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis is made. Many women only discover an issue after a fracture or a low T-score on a DEXA scan. So what is really happening inside our bones during the menopause transition?

Dr. Wittstein walks us through:

• What estrogen does to bone — and what happens when levels decline
• The difference between osteopenia and osteoporosis
• Why hormone therapy is FDA-approved for prevention but not treatment
• The role of bisphosphonates and other osteoporosis medications
• Whether you can transition from MHT to other osteoporosis drugs later in life
• How we actually know if treatment is working

This episode explores the nuance behind bone prevention versus bone treatment — and why timing, risk profile, and long-term planning matter.

As Dr. Wittstein writes in her book:
“Good health isn't a gift… it's an accomplishment.”

If you care about long-term strength, fracture prevention, and ageing well, this conversation is essential listening.

Support the show

The information provided in all episodes of the MenopauseWize podcast, including content shared by Sukhpreet Patel or any guest or representative, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for professional healthcare consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.

SheRise Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., MenopauseWize, Sukhpreet Patel, or any representative will not be held responsible or liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use or reliance on the information provided in this podcast. Listeners are encouraged to use the information at their own discretion and always seek advice from a licensed medical professional before making any healthcare decisions.