HRT vs MHT Myths Debunked: Menopause Hormone Therapy Options, Vaginal Estrogen, Pellets vs Injections + WHI Updates | Period Coach Summit Panel Our second panel from the week of Period Besties Podcast Live & Unfiltered! For more about our speakers head here: https://ThePeriodCoach.com/Live2026 You can still sign up for the free gifts! In this Period Besties Podcast Live panel, the host introduces moderator Meredith Canaan and experts Dr. Carrie Jones and menopause coach Maria Claps for a discussion on hormone therapy terminology (HRT, HT, MHT, “HOT”), debunking myths fueled by the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative and media messaging about cancer risk. They outline why timing matters (including early menopause/POI), emphasize long-term health impacts (brain, bone, cardiometabolic health, cancer risk), and review therapy options beyond patches and capsules—pills, gels/creams, troches/RDTs, injections, and pellets—clarifying key differences, adjustability, and FDA/compounding considerations. They explain vaginal estrogen use for GSM/urinary symptoms and correct application to include urethral tissue, discuss testosterone access and safety, address side effects (progesterone sensitivity, dosing/route changes), shortages, and the importance of lifestyle foundations alongside hormones. 00:00 Welcome and Raffle 00:42 Meet Moderator Meredith 02:55 Introducing Dr Carrie Jones 04:53 Introducing Maria Claps 06:02 HRT Terms and Labels 09:36 WHI Study Fallout 14:29 Long Term Health Risks 18:27 HRT Delivery Options 20:29 Pellets vs Injections 27:31 Troches and Oral Risks 29:35 When to Start Hormones 34:01 Vaginal Estrogen Basics 36:14 Testosterone Access Issues 39:27 Bladder and Urethra Tips 43:08 Safe Dosing Basics 44:01 Testosterone Overuse Risks 46:54 Genital Atrophy Awareness 48:30 Hormone Access Across Borders 49:17 When to Start HRT 51:53 Birth Control Versus HRT 55:43 IUDs and Progesterone Combo 58:13 HRT Adjustment Period 01:06:22 Cycling Versus Daily Dosing 01:11:18 Shortages and Alternatives 01:16:53 Progesterone Side Effects Fixes 01:21:13 Compounding and Coverage 01:22:30 Bone Protection Questions 01:23:12 Birth Control and Bones 01:24:53 Lifestyle vs Long Term Data 01:27:12 Know Your Vulva 01:33:32 HRT Patch Dosing 01:35:48 IVF Hormones vs HRT 01:37:28 Early Perimenopause Clues 01:43:15 Palpitations and Heart Risk 01:45:53 Foundations Beyond HRT 01:49:57 ADHD and Estrogen Drops 01:54:15 Microbiome and Prebiotics 01:57:49 Raffles and Summit Wrap Todays episode is sponsored by: Period Coaching School and Katie Bressack Wellness. Email us: PeriodBestiesPodcast@gmail.com Our Websites: PeriodCoachingSchool.com KatieBressack.com Instagram and Facebook: @StashaWashburn @KatieBressack Freebies: Charting with Stasha https://ThePeriodCoach.com/etrc Eating For Your Hormones Guide https://katiebressack.com/freegift/ Books: The Revolution Will Be Bloody https://ThePeriodCoach.com/Revolution Bloody Brilliant Business https://PeriodCoachingSchool.com/Bloody-Brilliant-Business-book Eating For Your Hormones Recipe Book https://katiebressack.com/hormone-balancing-recipe-book/ Theme music composed, recorded, performed, engineered, mixed and mastered by Ted Wulfers 663 Sound