Estrogen Matters

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

De: Avrum Bluming, Carol Tavris

Narrado por: Avrum Bluming, Carol Tavris

REVISED and UPDATED Edition, 2024: 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.

"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 read, Estrogen Matters sets the record straight on estrogen’s benefits, providing a light to guide women through this inevitable phase of life.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“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

"Given breast cancer's substantial morbidity, mortality, emotional toll and the vast consequences of its treatment, the frontal salvo on the conventional wisdom of estrogen use by Avrum Bluming and Carol Tavris is refreshing and welcome. The book will stir a lively debate about the merits of decades of existing clinical research on estrogens and help reframe the way clinicians and patients view the tradeoff between the benefits and risks of hormone therapy."—Jerome P. Kassirer, MD, Distinguished Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine; Editor-in-Chief, New England Journal of Medicine

"This is such an important book, I want to do all I can to encourage every woman to read it. Groundbreaking and carefully researched, Estrogen Matters provides essential information about the many benefits of estrogen at menopause and even after a diagnosis of breast cancer. It reveals the misinterpretation of study results that led women (and their doctors) to have unwarranted concerns about estrogen use. The thoughtful information presented here will help women feel more comfortable taking estrogen, leading to healthier, longer lives for many."—Patricia T. Kelly, PhD, specialist in cancer risk assessment and author of Assessing Your True Risk of Breast Cancer

"This book is long overdue, and I salute the authors for their courage and effort (and their clear, witty writing). I believe it is an ethical imperative for all clinicians who treat women in menopause or women with breast cancer to alert their patients to this book. It will not only improve women's quality of life, but also, on balance of probabilities, extend women's lives by delaying death from all other causes."—Michael Baum, MD, professor emeritus of surgery and visiting professor of medical humanities, University College London

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!!!

How they got it wrong!!

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

excellent

very informative information on HRT, I will most likely read again in the future as I myself start HRT in hopes better health

Exhaustive statistical research

Extremely detailed research of past and current studies. The book gives me confidence to look into HRT

The most comprehensive book!

I’ve read a lot of books on hormones and menopause and this one was by far my favorite. As a data scientist, this book was not only informative, but incredibly interesting and does all of the literature reviews for you! One of my favorite sections was the 10 issues with the WHI. I started recommending this book to friends, family, and my physicians before I even finished it!