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The Mel Robbins Podcast #380 · March 23, 2026 · 2h 14m

The Ultimate Guide to Women's Sexual Health, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) & Menopause

Dr. Rachel Rubin
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Urologist and sexual medicine specialist Rachel Rubin delivers a comprehensive breakdown of women's hormonal health across all life stages. The headline: the FDA removed false warning labels from vaginal hormones in February 2026, ending decades of fear-based misinformation. Vaginal estrogen reduces UTI risk by over 50% and costs $7/month. The word 'clitoris' doesn't appear in OB-GYN training requirements. A landmark episode for women's health literacy.

Canon

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Endocrine disruptors affect hormonal health
Rubin's discussion of how hormone disruption affects women across all life stages connects to the broader endocrine disruptor crisis — hormonal changes from external chemicals overlap with the fertility decline documented by Swan.
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Highlights

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FDA removed false warning labels from vaginal hormones
On Feb 12, 2026, the FDA officially removed labels claiming vaginal hormones cause stroke, blood clots, heart attacks, and dementia — ending decades of fear-based misinformation.
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Vaginal estrogen prevents UTIs by >50% at $7/month
Microdosed vaginal estrogen products reduce UTI risk by over half. Most women don't know this option exists.
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'Clitoris' not in OB-GYN training requirements
The word clitoris doesn't appear in what a gynecologist needs to know to graduate — a systemic gap in women's health education.
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Editorial

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GSM affects women at all ages, not just menopause
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause isn't limited to older women — it impacts those on birth control, breastfeeding mothers, and cancer patients.
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Misc

✧FDA removed cardiovascular/dementia warning labels from vaginal hormones on Feb 12, 2026
✧Dr. Rubin: 'Your box label tried to kill my mother' — the date happened to be her late mother's birthday
✧Vaginal estrogen reduces UTIs by >50% at $7/month
✧'Clitoris' doesn't appear in what gynecologists need to know to graduate
✧Also appeared on Peter Attia's podcast (#348) covering similar material
✧GSM (genitourinary syndrome of menopause) affects women on birth control and breastfeeding — not just menopause
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