Brief break from the movement spam to share my latest for @newscientist on HRT and the menopause. It’s a very personal one for me, as anyone who has asked me how I am lately will know!! Short version: I was struggling and now, thanks to HRT, I’m not. And once I’d got my mojo back I couldn’t not dig into the research to see what was happening to me and what all this meant for my long term health. There were many parts of the research process where I wished I hadn’t. Comparing studies done on women of different ages, on different drugs and followed up on different timescales made it difficult to make any sense of the risk / benefit figures. Add a layer of argument about whether treating / not treating menopause symptoms is more insulting to women (and anyone else with a uterus) and it was far from an easy job. Got there in the end, though, and I hope it’s useful for anyone who needs it. Check it out to see what the latest evidence and experts are saying, and where research is going next . All the risk / benefit figures are there, should you need them, along with some strong opinions! If the peri-menopause / menopause is giving you or someone you know a hard time, please read and share widely. Equally, if you are one of the lucky ones who sails through or isn’t affected, please also read and share it. Someone you know and love might be very glad you did! Available online at newscientist.com now (link in stories) and in print on Saturday. Fabulous artwork by #angusgreig #menopause #perimenopause #hrt #evidencebased #womenshealth #womenempowerment #inclusivemenopause