Season 13 • Episode 1040

1040 - Growing Demand for Menopausal Hormone Therapies Brings Excitement—and New Concerns

Apr 22, 2026

18:49

Diabetes Menopause Regulatory Affairs Public Health Primary Care

Episode Description

About this episode:

Following the FDA's removal of black box warnings for hormone therapy drugs, demand has skyrocketed for menopause treatments. In this episode: why this explosion in popularity marks a trend in the right direction for quality reproductive care while also raising concerns about "menowashed" products and blanket prescribing of hormonal interventions.

Guests:

Dr. Wendy L. Bennett, MPH, is a primary care doctor and associate professor with appointments at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and School of Medicine.

Dr. Tina Zhang is a primary care doctor and assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Host:

Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.

Show links and related content:

Why the 'mad scramble' to fill hormone therapy prescriptions for menopause—NPR
FACT SHEET: FDA Initiates Removal of "Black Box" Warnings from Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy Products—U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
What Is a Black Box Warning?—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
De-medicalizing Menopause—Public Health On Call (March 2024)

Transcript information:

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