Understanding the Shift in Hormone Therapy Guidance

If you've heard conflicting information about hormone therapy over the years, you're not alone. Many patients, especially women experiencing perimenopause and menopause, were told for decades that hormone therapy was risky or something to avoid altogether.

In recent years, that narrative has continued to evolve. Updated guidance and renewed research have helped clarify where hormone therapy fits into modern, individualized care. At the end of last year, the FDA released updated guidelines to remove outdated warnings from hormone therapies. In 2026, the focus is clearer than ever: context, personalization, and patient‑specific risk matter more than blanket rules or outdated research.

What Has Actually Changed?​

 A Move Away From One‑Size‑Fits‑All Recommendations​

 Earlier hormone guidance often treated all patients the same, regardless of age, symptoms, health history, or hormone levels. Current guidance emphasizes that hormone therapy decisions should be based on:

• Individual symptoms and quality of life
• Age and time since menopause
• Personal and family health history
• Type, dose, and route of hormone delivery

This shift acknowledges what many patients already know: what works for one person may not work for another.

 More Understanding Around Individual Risk

Rather than framing hormone therapy as "safe" or "dangerous," updated guidance encourages a more nuanced view. Risk depends on multiple factors, including:

• Whether hormones are taken orally, topically, or vaginally
• Whether therapy is estrogen‑only or combined with progesterone
• Dosage and duration of therapy
• Overall cardiovascular, bone, and metabolic health

​This allows for more thoughtful, individualized decision‑making instead of fear‑based avoidance.

What Hasn't Changed?​

Hormone therapy is still not a one‑size‑fits‑all solution, and it isn't appropriate for every patient. Ongoing monitoring, regular check‑ins, and collaboration with a knowledgeable provider remain essential.

What has changed is the recognition that many patients were unnecessarily denied care that could have significantly improved their quality of life.

Enter heading here...Where Compounding Fits In

For patients who need:

• Custom doses not commercially available
• Specific hormone combinations
• Alternative delivery methods
• Formulations without certain fillers or dyes

Compounded hormone therapy may be part of an individualized care plan, always guided by a prescribing provider. At The Compounding Lab, our pharmacists work closely with you and your health care provider to customize your hormone therapy to fit your individual needs.

The biggest change in 2026 hormone therapy guidance is how decisions are made. The focus is no longer on broad restrictions, but on thoughtful, patient‑centered care.

If hormone symptoms are affecting your daily life, you deserve a conversation that considers your full picture, not outdated assumptions.

Note: This blog is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding hormone therapy decisions.