@megan.swan.wellness: They called it a reproductive hormone. It’s holding up your muscles. We were taught estrogen is about periods and babies. New research says it’s also about strength. A study published this summer in the Journal of Applied Physiology looked at men and women from 18 to over 80. In women, estradiol levels were tied to muscle strength. And menopause hormone therapy appeared to help women hold onto strength as they aged, especially women who weren’t very active. Here’s why that lands so hard. During menopause, estradiol drops by more than 90 percent. After menopause, women lose strength at a faster rate than men. And muscle isn’t just what moves you. It’s an endocrine organ. It sends signals to your liver, your fat, your bones and your brain. So when a woman loses strength in midlife, she isn’t getting weak. She’s losing part of her hormonal system. For decades, that got filed under aging. Under laziness. Under something to push through. You were never getting lazy. You were losing a hormone nobody told you your muscles needed. Sources, for accountability: Journal of Applied Physiology (2026): https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.00366.2026 Cells (2026), muscle as an endocrine organ: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/15/4/318 UNDERSTUDIED | Half of Humanity

Megan Swan

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Monday 05 October 2026 16:34:08 GMT