Martha Stewart Credits Decades of Hormone Therapy for Strength

Lifestyle guru Martha Stewart, 85, has credited a medication she has taken for over 40 years with helping her maintain physical strength. Stewart revealed that she has been on estrogen since she was approximately 42 years old, a regimen she believes has contributed to her robust health.

Stewart shared these remarks at a September event hosted by her skincare brand, Elm Biosciences. She stated, "I think that’s very helpful." Her use of supplemental estrogen falls under the umbrella of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a treatment commonly used by women during menopause to alleviate symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, and to help protect against bone loss and osteoporosis.

Shifting Perspectives on Hormone Therapy

While HRT has been a subject of controversy, particularly after a 2002 study suggested increased health risks, including breast cancer, and a subsequent FDA "black box warning" on many estrogen products, medical understanding has evolved. In recent years, a re-examination of the data indicates that for many women, HRT can be a safe and effective treatment. Dr. Nora Lansen, chief medical officer at Elektra Health, noted that the risk of breast cancer associated with MHT is actually low for a broader range of patients than previously believed.

Further research has suggested that women who begin HRT during perimenopause may experience significantly lower rates of breast cancer, as well as fewer heart attacks and strokes. This evolving medical consensus led the FDA last year to announce its intention to remove "misleading FDA warnings on hormone replacement therapy," with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stating that the agency was returning to "evidence-based medicine."

Navigating Medication Shortages

Despite the renewed acceptance and potential benefits of HRT, both Stewart and many other women are encountering difficulties in obtaining the medication due to widespread shortages. Stewart mentioned struggling to find her Dotti estrogen patches, a brand applied twice weekly. "You can’t get your Dotti now," she lamented.

Pharmacies across the country have reported shortages of estrogen patches and similar treatments since earlier this year. "You can’t get estrogen, you can’t get progesterone, you can’t get any of those things now," Stewart said, adding that she has had to seek out alternative pharmacies to procure her medication.

The shortage has prompted many women to find creative solutions, including rationing their supply, sharing medications through social media, or planning international trips to acquire the necessary treatments. Some have resorted to rationing their supply, while others are exploring options like traveling to Mexico if domestic availability continues to be an issue.