Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Risks & Benefits (Dr. Avrum Bluming & Dr. Carol Tavris)

Dr. Avrum Bluming and Dr. Carol Tavris discuss the benefits and risks of taking estrogen during menopause and beyond. Dr. Bluming is a breast cancer oncologist and researcher, and Dr. Tavris is a social psychologist who studies cognitive biases.

In this episode, they also explain that hormone replacement therapy can offer far more than just relief from hot flashes, with potential benefits ranging from bedroom to boardroom to bones and beyond. They also explain why many common fears around hormone therapy are not supported by the latest scientific evidence.

Bluming and Tavris have literally written the book on this controversial topic. Their 2018 book - Estrogen Matters - has been described as: "A compelling defense of hormone replacement therapy, exposing the faulty science behind its fall from prominence and empowering women to make informed decisions about their health."

Dr. Avrum Bluming is a hematologist and medical oncologist who has been treating women with breast cancer for forty years. Bluming has worked as a clinical professor of medicine at USC and as a senior investigator for the US National Cancer Institute. He holds an MD from the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Dr. Carol Tavris is a social psychologist who is highly regarded for her efforts to promote science, skepticism, and gender equality. Tavris has written several influential books including Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me), Why we justify foolish beliefs, bad decisions, and hurtful acts". She holds a PhD in social psychology from the University of Michigan.

This episode is the first of a two part conversation. In part two, Bluming and Tavris explain why the conclusions presented by the Women's Health Initiative Study (WHI) were deeply flawed. Both episodes contain important lessons on how research findings are communicated - or miscommunicated - to clinicians and the public

Learn more about Estrogen Matters, including links to the latest scientific studies at: https://estrogenmatters.com/

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HOSTED BY CHANA DAVIS, PHD

Access more of Dr. Davis' work at fueledbyscience.com or on social @fueledbyscience (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)