No one hands you a handbook for this season of life — so we’re making one, together.

In the third episode of our four-part Perimenopause, Unfiltered series, I sit down with Cindy Schwartz — multi-passionate woman and Female Empowerment Coach — to explore The Lost Generation: the women of Cindy’s mother’s era who endured the fallout of the hormone replacement therapy (HRT) scandal.

For many women, this history left a shadow — a deep mistrust of medical advice, silence around symptoms, and confusion about what options are actually safe. We dive into the nitty-gritty of HRT, the myths and truths behind the controversy, and how this legacy still impacts women navigating perimenopause today.

Most importantly, we open up the bigger conversation of choice — what it means to “go natural,” what it means to use medical support, and how to honor your body’s needs without shame.

If you’ve ever wondered why there’s so much fear and misinformation around hormones, or felt torn between approaches, this episode will give you context, clarity, and permission to choose your own path.

Core message: You’re not trapped by history. You get to choose how you move through this transition — natural, medical, or somewhere in between. Your voice matters.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

* The story of the “lost generation” and the HRT scandal

* How the fallout shaped our mothers’ and grandmothers’ experience of menopause

* Myths vs. truths about hormone replacement therapy

* The lasting cultural silence around perimenopause and menopause

* Why choice is the most important part of this conversation

* How to make decisions that feel aligned, not pressured

Previous Episodes:

* Episode 1 — No One Prepares You For This

* Episode 2 — The Hormones & The Science

Episode Connection:

* Connect with Cindy on Instagram

* Connect with Cindy on Linkden

* Connect with Erin on Instagram

* Connect with Erin on her Website

Episode Resources:

* Book — Pussy A Reclamation

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erinmarguerite.substack.com