In this BSI Medical Society webinar, Karen Thomson speaks with investigative science writer Amy Alkon. Author of Going Menopostal, Amy delves into the critical gaps in medical care for women undergoing menopause and perimenopause. Amy exposes how most gynecologists in North America receive little to no formal training in menopause, leading to widespread misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. She challenges deeply entrenched myths about evidence-based care, diagnostic reasoning, and risk assessment, arguing that many doctors lack research literacy and fail to apply science accurately to individual patients. Her analysis highlights a disturbing trend of unethical practices where providers administer hormone therapies without proper expertise, often guided by flawed or outdated studies like the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative.

Amy advocates for a radical shift in how menopause is approached—urging women to take charge of their health through education, self-monitoring, and informed dialogue with healthcare providers. She underscores estrogen’s protective role when prescribed appropriately, countering long-standing fears about hormone therapy and breast cancer risk. With a focus on individualized treatment, she encourages the use of tools like basal body temperature tracking and strategic questioning to ensure accurate diagnosis and consent. The webinar closes with a call to reframe menopause as a powerful stage of life, emphasizing lifestyle changes such as low-carb diets, resistance training, and metabolic health monitoring. Ultimately, Amy urges women to become scientifically literate advocates for their well-being, and demand systemic change in how their health is managed.

A 10-minute summary of the webinar is now available for free to anyone, while the full webinar is available for Medical Society Members and MetFix affiliates.

https://brokenscience.org/webinar-with-amy-alkon-summary/