116 – Bioidentical HRT has good safety data, so why do so few women take it?

Bioidentical (body identical) HRT is safer than the old synthetic hormones, so why do so few women take it?

Dr Jerrold Weinberg spent 25 years delivering babies in Detroit before moving into menopause medicine, and has since treated around 4,000 women. When he began prescribing bioidentical hormones, colleagues stopped referring patients to him, a story he tells in his book, Menopause Mended.

Louise and Jerrold explain why the Women’s Health Initiative study tested horse-derived estrogen and a synthetic progestogen rather than the estradiol and micronised progesterone used today, and why many women on HRT still feel unwell because their dose is too low or they aren’t absorbing it. They also talk about compounded creams, menopause supplements and why rushed appointments leave women without answers.

Jerrold closes with three take-home tips, including how to walk into an appointment prepared and be your own advocate.

Let’s connect

👉 Understand what your hormones actually do before your next appointment. Read The Power of Hormones: https://bio.to/ThePowerofHormones
👉 Follow the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode: www.DrLN.co.uk/podcast
👉 More from Dr Louise Newson: https://linkin.bio/drlouisenewson

More from Dr.Weinberg

Instagram: @menopausemended

https://jhweinbergmd.com/

Link to purchase book on Amazon: Menopause Mended

Chapters

00:00 Why should doctors question what they're taught?
02:59 Why did colleagues stop referring patients to him?
05:13 Is menopause a hormone deficiency, like low thyroid?
06:09 Why was the first HRT made from horse urine?
07:09 Why do women go through the menopause?
09:28 Why does oral estrogen affect blood clotting?
10:29 What did the 2002 WHI study actually test?
12:05 Why is synthetic progestogen still a concern?
13:36 Which estradiol and progesterone are used now?
14:05 Why use a compounded estrogen cream?
16:22 What's the fear about compounded HRT?
19:07 Is your HRT dose too low to work?
20:57 Does HRT protect your long-term health?
22:19 Can HRT lower your risk of osteoporosis?
23:43 Do menopause supplements actually work?
26:28 Why are menopause appointments so rushed?
29:48 Could nurse practitioners improve menopause care?
31:17 How can more women get the HRT they need?