Once again, thank you so much for this fantastic review and summary. I thought the same thing when I saw the post about the T study from the medical influencer (who I don't even follow - but IG seems to think I should). I truly appreciate you taking the time to explain this. I always learn something new, plus it saves me a ton of time and provides great resources for my clients!
Thank you, again, for a clear and cogent explanation. I am so glad I was taught research skills in the 70s by a college librarian (my father) in addition to those I learned in school, and happier still to remember teaching the updated version of those skills, with my coworkers, to middle school students for several decades. This skill is vital in an environment in which misinformation flies faster than gossip, and with similar levels of accuracy.
Good comment. I was taught qualitative and quantitative research design in my graduate studies at a major university known for its dedication to rigorous research. This was 1990 when I defended my thesis. One of the board members told me that I’d be cynical for the rest of my life due to my degree and my minor in statistics. And to really be sure to take time to have fun as well.
Decades later and it is true. I pick apart designs and abstracts like there’s no tomorrow but have learned to not engage in analysis paralysis too much in my non work life as it bothers friends and family. I get to do it with my work, though, and people appreciate it there.
Thank you for this. I’ve seen the inside of my skull more times than I care to count in the last year looking at “studies “ my soon to be ex threw at me to explain how I’ve gone insane in menopause.
I really appreciate this discussion. The word "study" is generally not well understood and is far to often overused, implying authority and validation for making a point. There is more to well-defined research than, I think, most influencers take the time to know.
Thanks again for such a coherent, well written post. Human studies are difficult to interpret when the sample number is low and the variables (genetic, socio-economic, lifestyle) are so broad. The push to publish positive results means the data has to do some heavy lifting.
My favourite line from this piece is "and as soon as I saw the study, I sprained my eyes after rolling them back into my head (this seems to be a growing workplace injury for me)" Someone needs to do a compilation of Dr Jen Gunter's zingers!
Not at all related, but just wondering if in a future post you could talk about when to start tapering estradiol dosage in MHT, for those of us on it for the long haul? For me, I plan to stay on MHT as long as possible, due to osteoporosis concerns. But I'm only 52 and currently on a standard dose of .05 patch (which I've been on for 5 years). I assume it would be wise to eventually taper down to .025, and eventually even lower? How do you determine when/if to do this? Also, I have extremely dense breast tissue, so that's always a concern... Thanks for all the helpful info you provide.
No, I wasn't saying taper off, I meant tapering lower over time, because even very low estrogen dosages can still protect bones. As I mentioned, I'm in it for the long haul, mainly for bone density concerns. I plan to taper estrogen lower over time because risk factors can increase slightly now that I'm 5+ years, especially for those of us with extremely dense breast tissue, but I was just wondering if Dr. Gunter has guidance on how to do that.
Just wanting to say thank you for addressing the day of quick fixes, TikTok, sound bites, influencer culture. I’m 61 and it’s insane. I have 3 grandchildren now and the topics of human growth and development have been my professional study and life’s work, for example. I’ve raised my own kids, nieces and nephews and have worked with children and families for 35 years. I love the mothers of my grandchildren so much, but how shocked and invisible I’ve felt that TikTok knows more about my grandchildren’s needs than I may. So lost is critical thinking, wisdom from elders, etc.
A much needed article, I’ve become so frustrated by the reactionary commentary about poor quality studies especially those that come from the same patient population of a hormone clinic with no placebo or control arms. We don’t change the standard of care every other month and should be cautious in applying broadly data from small cohorts.
“Critical thinking isn’t just for scientists—it’s self-defense in the age of Instagram medicine.” So important, and well said.
Once again, thank you so much for this fantastic review and summary. I thought the same thing when I saw the post about the T study from the medical influencer (who I don't even follow - but IG seems to think I should). I truly appreciate you taking the time to explain this. I always learn something new, plus it saves me a ton of time and provides great resources for my clients!
Thank you, again, for a clear and cogent explanation. I am so glad I was taught research skills in the 70s by a college librarian (my father) in addition to those I learned in school, and happier still to remember teaching the updated version of those skills, with my coworkers, to middle school students for several decades. This skill is vital in an environment in which misinformation flies faster than gossip, and with similar levels of accuracy.
Good comment. I was taught qualitative and quantitative research design in my graduate studies at a major university known for its dedication to rigorous research. This was 1990 when I defended my thesis. One of the board members told me that I’d be cynical for the rest of my life due to my degree and my minor in statistics. And to really be sure to take time to have fun as well.
Decades later and it is true. I pick apart designs and abstracts like there’s no tomorrow but have learned to not engage in analysis paralysis too much in my non work life as it bothers friends and family. I get to do it with my work, though, and people appreciate it there.
Thank you for this. I’ve seen the inside of my skull more times than I care to count in the last year looking at “studies “ my soon to be ex threw at me to explain how I’ve gone insane in menopause.
I really appreciate this discussion. The word "study" is generally not well understood and is far to often overused, implying authority and validation for making a point. There is more to well-defined research than, I think, most influencers take the time to know.
Thanks again for such a coherent, well written post. Human studies are difficult to interpret when the sample number is low and the variables (genetic, socio-economic, lifestyle) are so broad. The push to publish positive results means the data has to do some heavy lifting.
My favourite line from this piece is "and as soon as I saw the study, I sprained my eyes after rolling them back into my head (this seems to be a growing workplace injury for me)" Someone needs to do a compilation of Dr Jen Gunter's zingers!
Not at all related, but just wondering if in a future post you could talk about when to start tapering estradiol dosage in MHT, for those of us on it for the long haul? For me, I plan to stay on MHT as long as possible, due to osteoporosis concerns. But I'm only 52 and currently on a standard dose of .05 patch (which I've been on for 5 years). I assume it would be wise to eventually taper down to .025, and eventually even lower? How do you determine when/if to do this? Also, I have extremely dense breast tissue, so that's always a concern... Thanks for all the helpful info you provide.
why taper off?
No, I wasn't saying taper off, I meant tapering lower over time, because even very low estrogen dosages can still protect bones. As I mentioned, I'm in it for the long haul, mainly for bone density concerns. I plan to taper estrogen lower over time because risk factors can increase slightly now that I'm 5+ years, especially for those of us with extremely dense breast tissue, but I was just wondering if Dr. Gunter has guidance on how to do that.
I’m 61 and on .25 E gel nightly. This topic interests me as well.
Was just reading Kate Muir on How to Have a Magnificent Midlife Crisis - she's pushing testosterone big time...
thanks for this Jen, came into my email perfectly timed.
I have seen a lot of disinformation from her
Good to know
Just wanting to say thank you for addressing the day of quick fixes, TikTok, sound bites, influencer culture. I’m 61 and it’s insane. I have 3 grandchildren now and the topics of human growth and development have been my professional study and life’s work, for example. I’ve raised my own kids, nieces and nephews and have worked with children and families for 35 years. I love the mothers of my grandchildren so much, but how shocked and invisible I’ve felt that TikTok knows more about my grandchildren’s needs than I may. So lost is critical thinking, wisdom from elders, etc.
A much needed article, I’ve become so frustrated by the reactionary commentary about poor quality studies especially those that come from the same patient population of a hormone clinic with no placebo or control arms. We don’t change the standard of care every other month and should be cautious in applying broadly data from small cohorts.
Clear, compelling, evidence based and… So funny!!! Dr. Jen is the doctor we all wish we had!