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The Vajenda intersects medical facts, feminism, and critical scrutiny of health trends. It challenges misinformation in women's health, particularly around menopause, and critiques celebrity-endorsed health fads and predatory practices. The content emphasizes evidence-based information, advocating for women's health rights and informed decision-making.

Women's Health Menopause Management Health Misinformation Feminism and Health Supplement Industry Critique Cancer Screening Vaccine Advocacy Contraception Menstrual Health Myths Ethics in Medical Publishing

The hottest Substack posts of The Vajenda

And their main takeaways

The Death-Strewn Backstory of Big Supplement

6151 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Supplements Regulation Safety concerns Efficacy Marketing
  1. Supplements in the United States have a history of being unregulated and potentially dangerous due to a lack of oversight and testing.
  2. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 removed regulations, allowing for the sale of supplements without proof of safety or efficacy.
  3. Buying supplements is like buying gas from a guy on the side of the road - there's little to no assurance of what you're actually getting or its effects on your health.

There Will Be Blood

3734 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine Empowerment Education Science
  1. The menstrual cycle is a unique and vital aspect of human biology.
  2. Historically, female physiology has been viewed as inferior, leading to inadequate research and medical care for those who menstruate.
  3. Education and knowledge about menstruation are crucial to combat misinformation and empower individuals to advocate for their health.

British Columbia to Start Self-Testing for HPV for Cervical Cancer Screening

1965 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Prevention Guidelines
  1. British Columbia is starting self-testing for HPV for cervical cancer screening, moving towards at-home mail-in tests.
  2. HPV detection is more effective than Pap smears in detecting precancerous lesions, removing human error and being highly sensitive.
  3. Cervical cancer screening guidelines may change over time to adapt to new data and technologies, aiming to improve access and convenience for people.

Side Effects With Progesterone/Progestins in MHT

1139 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Hormone Therapy Mental health Medication Menopause Women's Health
  1. Reproductive hormones can have different effects on women, such as premenstrual syndrome and postpartum depression.
  2. Progesterone/progestins in menopausal hormone therapy can impact mood and may have complex interactions in the brain.
  3. Options to consider if progesterone/progestins negatively affect quality of life include switching dosage or trying alternative medications.
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Misinformation about Bioidentical and Compounded Hormones

3812 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Hormone Therapy Medical Misinformation Safety concerns
  1. Suzanne Somers promoted unsafe compounded hormones as better for menopause under the guise of female empowerment.
  2. Somers popularized the terms 'bioidentical hormones' through media coverage and celebrity endorsement.
  3. Compounded hormones lack safety data and precision dosing compared to pharmaceutical products, making them less safe.

Vaginal DHEA and Oral Ospemifene

963 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Menopause Hormones
  1. Vaginal estrogen is the first-line therapy for genitourinary syndrome of menopause, but there are other options like vaginal DHEA and oral ospemifene.
  2. Vaginal DHEA and oral ospemifene are alternatives to vaginal estrogen, although there's no direct comparison on effectiveness.
  3. DHEA is a hormone produced during cholesterol conversion and serves as a prohormone for adult women.

Don't Waste Your Money on the Clearblue Menopause Journey Test

2024 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Menopause Testing Symptoms Hormones Therapy
  1. Menopause can be diagnosed clinically based on age, menstrual status, and symptoms, not through blood or urine tests.
  2. Hormone tests for menopause can be unreliable due to individual variations and do not determine when therapy should be started.
  3. Clearblue Menopause Stage Indicator test may not provide reliable results and consulting with a healthcare professional is still necessary.

Menopausal Hormone Therapy

2476 implied HN points • 19 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Menopause Hormone Therapy Longevity Exercise Nutrition
  1. Menopausal hormone therapy has both benefits and risks, and it's important for individuals to have accurate information to make informed decisions.
  2. Prioritize exercise, a healthy diet, and not smoking for overall health during menopause.
  3. Menopausal hormone therapy involves prescribing estrogen or progesterone to alleviate symptoms, and progestogen is essential for those taking estrogen to protect against uterine issues.

Why I Got the HPV Vaccine at Age 52

2162 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccination Immune Response
  1. HPV vaccine is approved up to age 45, but one can consider getting vaccinated later based on individual risk factors.
  2. Vaccination before age 26 is ideal to maximize effectiveness with fewer doses, but those up to 45 may decide based on discussions with clinicians.
  3. Getting the HPV vaccine at an older age can still provide protection against cancer-causing HPV types, especially before new sexual partners and to prevent potential health consequences.