The Truth about Hormone Replacement Therapy and Breast Cancer | Ep 85

The Truth about Hormone Replacement Therapy and Breast Cancer | Ep 85

Author: Karen Bigman March 4, 2025 Duration: 46:52

Menopause isn’t a disease. So why does the world treat it like one? The whispers start early. Get ready—your body is about to betray you. The fear. The shame. The idea that once you hit a certain age, you’re less vibrant, less desirable, less… you. But what if that’s all a lie?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, a renowned OB-GYN, women’s health expert, and author of Menopause Bootcamp, to break down the myths, misconceptions, and truths about menopause. From the science behind hormonal changes to the emotional and societal impacts, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating—or preparing for—this life stage.

We explore why menopause isn’t a disease, how hormone therapy can be a game-changer, and why the fear of breast cancer shouldn’t overshadow the benefits of treatment. Plus, we tackle the buzzwords like “natural” and “bioidentical,” and discuss the role of lifestyle, diet, and community in thriving through menopause.

This isn’t just a conversation about hormones—it’s about reclaiming power, understanding our bodies, and embracing the wisdom that comes with age. Are you ready to redefine menopause? Let’s dive in!

About the Guest:

Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz is a board-certified OB-GYN, women’s health expert, and advocate for integrative medicine. She is the author of Menopause Bootcamp: Optimize Your Health, Empower Yourself, and Flourish as You Age and a frequent media contributor, including as the Chief Medical Correspondent for The Drew Barrymore Show. Dr. Suzanne is passionate about empowering women to take control of their health and embrace menopause as a transformative life stage.

You can find Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz here:

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

Book

Timestamps:

  • (00:47) Introduction to Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz
  • (01:46) What is perimenopause and menopause?
  • (05:13) The wide-ranging symptoms of perimenopause
  • (08:02) The rise of antidepressants during menopause
  • (09:41) The truth about hormone therapy
  • (20:23) When to start hormone therapy
  • (25:33) Busting the biggest myths about breast cancer risk
  • (27:59) Hormone therapy and osteoporosis
  • (29:07) The overlooked cancer risks you should know about
  • (32:52) Natural vs. Bioidentical Hormones: What’s the real difference?
  • (39:42) Can lifestyle choices make menopause easier?
  • (43:03) Menopause Boot Camp & what’s next on the journey

Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.


This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.


Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

Email: karen@taboototruth.com

Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast



Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.

This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

Email: karen@taboototruth.com

Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

Take control of your pleasure with my Pleasure Playbook, filled with tips to help you connect with your body and enhance intimacy. Download it now at www.taboototruth.com/pleasureplaybook.

Take control of your pleasure with my Pleasure Playbook, filled with tips to help you connect with your body and enhance intimacy. Download it now at www.taboototruth.com/pleasureplaybook.


In a culture that often whispers about aging and ignores the sexuality of older adults, Taboo to Truth: Life & Sex After 50 speaks in a clear, confident voice. Hosted by certified sex educator and coach Karen Bigman, this podcast transforms hushed conversations into open, honest dialogue. Karen’s straightforward and candid approach dismantles the stigma surrounding midlife intimacy, creating a vital space for education and support. Each episode explores the intricate, real-life experiences of dating, relationships, and physical connection after fifty. You’ll hear practical insights on navigating sex post-divorce, the triumphs of rediscovering desire, and the unique challenges that come with these transformative years. This isn’t abstract theory; it’s grounded conversation about the evolving landscape of pleasure, health, and partnership. By diving deep into topics often left unspoken, the show provides both reassurance and actionable guidance. Whether you’re seeking to understand your own journey or to simply listen and learn, this podcast meets you with expertise and empathy. Karen Bigman ensures every discussion moves from societal silence toward personal truth, making Taboo to Truth an essential listen for anyone redefining what life and intimacy mean in the second half.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Taboo to Truth: Life & Sex After 50
Podcast Episodes
The One Conversation That Will Change Your Sex Life | Ep. 161 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:13
If you want a better sex life, you need to learn how to talk about sex. In this episode, I break down why most couples avoid these conversations and how that silence creates distance, resentment, and confusion. I walk yo…
8 Things I Wish Every Man Knew About Menopause | Ep. 159 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:44
🚨 If you are a man navigating your partner’s menopause and feel lost, check out my NEW course ‘Men Meet Menopause’! AND to celebrate the launch, iI am giving you 20% off with code MMPLAUNCH20 https://bit.ly/MeenMeetMenop…
Why Couples Get Bored In Bed And How To Fix It | Ep. 157 (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:39
What do you do when the relationship is good, but the sex is boring?In part two of my conversation with clinical sexologist Dr. Stacey Friedman, we talk about what really happens to sexual relationships over time. We mov…
My Experience Taking Testosterone As A Woman | Ep. 158 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:16
In this episode, I share a personal story I have never told in detail before. It begins in my early 50s after separating from my husband of 25 years and rediscovering sex in a new relationship. My libido was strong, my e…
We Love Each Other But We Are Not Having Sex. Now What? (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:20
Are you ever going to have sex again?It is the question so many couples in midlife are quietly asking. Sex has become obligatory. Or it has disappeared. Hormones have shifted. Resentment has built. Communication has brok…