Is Taking Hormones Cheating?

AKA: How to shame women for their health choices.

This question arises regularly, sometimes subtly and sometimes more openly:

Is taking hormones cheating?

Cheating at aging, fitness, and life.

Upon closer examination, this accusation is unfounded.

We don’t replace insulin and accuse someone of cheating diabetes. In fact, insulin is vital for the survival of millions, with over 7 million people in the United States relying on regular doses to manage their diabetes effectively. We don’t give pain medication during a shoulder relocation and call it an unfair advantage. We don’t shame people for using glasses, hearing aids, pacemakers, or antidepressants. For instance, nearly 3 million people worldwide have pacemakers, which are essential for maintaining a regular heartbeat and improving quality of life. Are they cheating death?

Why, then, are hormones subject to moral debate instead of medical discussion?