Demand to be heard👊🏻 Advocate for yourself and arm yourself with knowledge💪🏻

Recently, FDA Commissioner Martin Makary met with a panel of experts to discuss the possibility of removing the black box warning from low-dose estrogen products, particularly vaginal estrogen. Vaginal estrogen helps countless women avoid suffering from issues such as vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence, and painful sex.

For those unfamiliar, a black box warning is a label that outlines potential side effects of a medication. What is perplexing about the black box warning for vaginal estrogen is that it does not enter the bloodstream, meaning that discernible levels cannot be detected after administration. This warning is particularly concerning because it has led many women to avoid this life-enhancing, and in some cases, life-saving treatment.

Many people may not realize that estrogen deficiency can contribute to frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in older women. UTIs are a significant concern for the elderly, as they can lead to falls while rushing to the bathroom and even more serious complications like urosepsis.

The movement towards removing this black box warning is a significant step in ensuring that women receive the treatments they need and deserve for a better quality of life. I encourage you to advocate for yourselves and the women in your lives. Arm yourselves with knowledge and demand to be heard.

Here’s to better health! 😘