The Truth About the Black Box Warning on Menopausal Hormone Therapy: What the Change Really Means

For more than 20 years, menopausal hormone therapy carried an FDA black box warning that reshaped the way women — and their doctors — thought about estrogen. With the warning now removed from most forms of MHT, many women are asking what this change truly means for their breast cancer risk, cardiovascular health, and long-term brain function. In this article, I break down the science behind the original warning, what the updated evidence actually shows, and how to approach hormone therapy safely and thoughtfully in midlife.

If you’re wondering whether MHT is safer now, riskier, or simply better understood — this guide explains what every woman needs to know.