Hormone Therapy Myths You Shouldn’t Be Falling For in 2025
When everyone’s shouting about hormones, it’s hard to know who to trust.
Welcome to the Hormone Therapy Misinformation Jungle
There’s a whole ecosystem of hormone therapy myths swirling around online right now. Between TikTok tips, supplement-promoting blogs, and influencers touting the magic of custom hormone tests, it's getting harder (not easier) to understand what hormone therapy actually is, what it does, and who it helps.
The confusion isn’t harmless. When women* are misinformed or scared away from hormone therapy, they lose access to effective treatments for hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disruption, vaginal dryness, and even bone loss. Misinformation doesn’t just annoy doctors, it hurts patients. And it makes people vulnerable to spending hundreds (sometimes thousands😳) of dollars chasing “clean,” “natural,” or “longevity” products that may be ineffective, unsafe, or unnecessary.
So let’s clear the confusion. These are the most common and most dangerous hormone therapy myths circulating right now, and what you actually need to know instead.
The Perfect Storm for Misinformation
Let’s take a step back and ask: Why is this happening?
First, menopause isn’t a disease. And because it’s not a disease, everyone thinks they get to have an opinion about it. There are no Instagram reels about treating non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with castor oil packs, but there are thousands claiming to "fix your hormones" with detox teas and adrenal supplements.
That makes menopause the perfect marketing target. It’s chronic, confusing, highly individual, and rarely treated well by conventional medicine. Enter influencers, wellness brands, and cash-only clinics, all eager to fill the void left by outdated training and medical hesitation.
Hormone therapy itself isn’t new. Millions of women used it regularly until the 2002 WHI study triggered widespread fear. In the decades since, many doctors stopped prescribing it altogether, meaning entire generations of women never got the benefits of what was once standard care. Now, the pendulum is swinging back, and women (and clinicians) are justifiably frustrated. Some younger women are getting involved in menopause advocacy for their moms or their future selves. Some are making great content. Others? Not so much.
In that mix of advocacy, cash-based solutions, and confusion, the myths have taken root. Let’s dig them up.
Misinformation spreads faster than hot flashes.
MYTH 1: “Bioidentical hormones are completely natural and totally safe.”
This myth thrives in the wellness-to-woo spiral. It usually shows up as a pitch for compounded hormones, often labeled "bioidentical," "clean," "customized," or "natural."
Here’s what’s true: FDA-approved bioidentical hormones do exist, like estradiol and micronized progesterone. They're made to be chemically identical to what your body produces. They’re also well-studied, quality-controlled, and available in consistent doses.
But not all "bioidentical" hormones are created equal. Compounded versions can vary in quality, dosing, absorption, and safety. They’re often not covered by insurance, and they’re not subject to the same FDA oversight. And unless you need a custom version due to allergies or sensitivities, you can often get the safest, and most affordable, bioidenticals straight from your regular pharmacy.
Bottom line: Bioidentical doesn’t mean risk-free. And natural doesn’t mean better.
MYTH 2: “You have to be on hormone therapy forever or it was pointless.”
This one's popular in longevity circles, where HT is sometimes framed like a lifelong subscription plan. But it's just not true.
Hormone therapy has clear benefits for symptom relief and bone protection during the early postmenopausal years, and some people do choose to stay on it long-term. But others don’t need to, and that doesn’t mean it was a waste. Even short-term use can significantly improve quality of life.
If you choose to stay on hormone therapy, it can continue to provide benefits over time, as long as you and your prescriber revisit your goals and health needs along the way.
Bottom line: There’s no "forever or fail" rule. You and your doctor can decide how long makes sense.
Your hormones aren’t the enemy. Misinformation is.
MYTH 3: “HT causes cancer. Don’t do it.”
Thanks to the 2002 WHI (Women’s Health Initiative) study, this one’s still everywhere.
What’s true: Unopposed estrogen increases the risk of endometrial cancer in women who still have a uterus. That’s why estrogen is paired with a progestogen for most users. But breast cancer risk from modern HT is more nuanced. Transdermal estradiol and micronized progesterone, for example, carry a very different risk profile than older (non-bioidentical) oral combos used in the WHI.
Newer studies suggest that for many women, especially those under age 60 or within 10 years of menopause, modern hormone therapy may not significantly increase breast cancer risk at all. In fact, the added risk from five years of combined HT is similar to the risk from drinking one glass of wine per day.
Bottom line: Hormone therapy isn’t risk-free. But it also isn’t the villain it was made out to be.
MYTH 4: “HT protects your brain from Alzheimer’s.”
This myth is a distorted half-truth. Some influencers are touting estrogen as a miracle brain boost or dementia shield.
There is some evidence that hormone therapy may be neuroprotective if started early, especially in cases of surgical menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency. But it’s not FDA-approved for dementia prevention, and the research is mixed beyond those special cases.
Bottom line: Don’t use hormone therapy just to protect your brain. That’s not specifically what it’s for.
MYTH 5: “Testosterone is the missing piece for all women.”
Social media is all over this one; testosterone as the fix for energy, mood, libido, and weight.
Here’s the reality: Testosterone can be helpful for select women diagnosed with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). But there’s no FDA-approved testosterone for women in the U.S., and there’s no solid evidence it helps with energy or weight loss.
Testosterone levels decline gently starting in your 30s, but treating that drop isn’t always necessary, and using too much can lead to side effects like acne, hair growth, and irritability that no one asked for.
Bottom line: Testosterone has a role. It’s just not a universal one.
Influencers aren’t prescribing. But they sure are selling.
MYTH 6: “You need hormone testing to know what to take.”
This is one of the most profitable myths out there. Think overpriced panels, salivary tests, and color-coded "hormone maps."
But in perimenopause, hormone levels fluctuate wildly day to day. A single blood or saliva test rarely tells you anything useful. Treatment is based on symptoms and history, not lab perfection.
Plus, hormone levels in blood or saliva can only show part of the picture. And many of estrogen and progesterone’s effects happen inside cells, where no current test can fully capture what’s going on.
Bottom line: Testing might feel scientific, but it usually isn’t helpful.
MYTH 7: “HT isn’t necessary if you eat clean, avoid toxins, and take maca.”
This idea lives at the intersection of wellness culture and magical thinking. And while nutrition and lifestyle are powerful tools, they are not a replacement for hormone therapy.
Phytoestrogens, adaptogens, and detox smoothies can’t prevent osteoporosis. They won’t reverse vaginal atrophy. And they don’t reliably stop hot flashes.
When estrogen levels drop, no amount of clean eating or supplements can replace what your body’s missing. Sometimes, the only effective treatment for low estrogen is estrogen.
Bottom line: You can love kale and consider hormone therapy. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.
MYTH 8: “Your regular doctor will lie to you or doesn’t know anything.”
This one is tricky, because the frustration is real. Many clinicians aren’t up to date on menopause care. But some online voices take that truth and twist it into full-on conspiracy, implying that only “hormone specialists” or expensive clinics have the answers.
That erodes trust in all providers and keeps women from asking questions or getting second opinions.
Many clinicians are aware that there’s been a shift in the data and are actively working to update their knowledge, but it helps when patients come with clear, specific questions. Sometimes, a thoughtful conversation is all it takes to get the clarity you need before deciding whether it’s time to find someone new.
Bottom line: Yes, some doctors are out of date. But others are trained and evidence-based. Don’t give up on real care.
There are providers who know how to help, you just have to find them.
What To Do Instead
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by hormone therapy info online, start here:
Find a provider trained in menopause care (check NAMS or ask for referrals)
Focus on your symptoms and goals, not someone else’s protocol
Ask better questions: What are the risks for me? What are the options? What are the benefits?
Be cautious of anyone promising a miracle cure
And remember: You don’t have to go it alone. There are providers out there who will listen, educate, and work with you to find the right path, whether that includes hormone therapy or not.
You Deserve Better
You shouldn’t need a medical degree and seven browser tabs to understand your own midlife health. Hormone therapy isn’t a cure-all, but it’s also not the enemy. It’s a tool. One that should be used thoughtfully, safely, and confidently.
The myth machine is loud, but your body and brain deserve more than fear and filters.
Let’s move past the noise. Let’s get informed instead.
Menopause is normal. Feeling lost about it shouldn’t be.
Want to go deeper, or just talk it through?
If you’re feeling stuck between “do nothing” and “try everything,” you’re not alone. This is exactly the kind of conversation I have every day in my clinic. If you want to explore whether hormone therapy (or any other treatment) makes sense for you, I offer one-on-one consultations designed to help you make clear, informed decisions, without the hype or pressure. Click here to book a free call or learn more about how I work with women in midlife and beyond.
*In this article, I’ll often use the term 'women' to describe people born with ovaries, as they are the group most commonly affected by perimenopause and menopause. However, I want to acknowledge that not everyone with these biological traits identifies as a woman, and not all women experience menopause. While I’ll use 'women' for simplicity and clarity, this information is meant for anyone navigating the hormonal changes associated with this life stage, regardless of how they identify.
