Head Spin and Brain Fog: FDA or Hormones?

This week, the FDA announced it’s removing the black box warning on estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT)—basically saying that the original breast cancer risk claims were… a bit overstated. So, after 20 years of believing estrogen was the bad guy, we’re suddenly told, “Oops, never mind.”

If you feel like your brain just did a backflip, you’re not alone. Especially when you add in the recent buzz about Tylenol possibly being linked to autism. Between these headlines, it’s no wonder so many women are wondering, what (and who) can I even trust anymore?

And before anyone gets nervous—this isn’t a political rant. This is just one woman saying, wow, the guidance we’ve all been fed for decades is being rewritten faster than we can digest it. It’s confusing, it’s exhausting, and it’s enough to make even the most level-headed among us want to scream into a pillow.

A quick recap:

• A few weeks ago, the FDA started reviewing Tylenol’s safety labeling.

• This week, they ditched the black box warning on estrogen-only HRT.Two massive shifts in a short amount of time—and both with big implications for women’s health.

My first reaction? How easily major medical messages can swing from one extreme to another, often without much acknowledgment of the impact that has on women. Because when the dust settles, it’s us left to sort through the headlines, make sense of the science, and hope we’re making the right call for our bodies.

Here’s the real truth: every woman is different. Our bodies, symptoms, risks, and values aren’t one-size-fits-all. If you’re curious or cautious about HRT, talk to a healthcare provider you trust who actually knows you.

And while we’re on the subject, this is also a good reminder of how powerful lifestyle changes can be when it comes to managing perimenopause, menopause, and healthy aging in general. Nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, and mindset all matter—and they come with zero black box warnings.

So if this week’s health news left you feeling like you just got tossed through the spin cycle, take a breath. You’re not crazy—it’s just the science doing the cha-cha again.

And if you’re ready to explore lifestyle approaches that support your hormones (without needing a PhD to decode the fine print), I’m here to help.

https://midlifethrive.net