Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Benefits 'Outweigh Risks' In Menopausal Women, Study Claims
Benefits Of HRT 'Outweigh Risks' For Menopausal Women
Natasha Hinde— The Huffington Post UK
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A new study has claimed that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for menopause does not put women's health at risk, despite previous claims to the contrary.
HRT is used to help women going through the menopause combat symptoms such as hot flushes, mood swings and depression. It helps by replacing oestrogen which has been reduced in the body.
However scientists from New York University are now claiming it doesn't affect a woman's health, and they hope to educate women about the benefits of this type of treatment.
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The relatively small study analysed women who had been taking HRT for an average of 14 years.
The 80 women had full-body scans carried out yearly, for a total of 10 years. They were then compared with 56 women who had not had HRT.
Researchers found that those who had taken HRT for up to 25 years were no more likely to develop breast cancer, heart disease or diabetes than any those who did not have the treatment.
Dr Lila Nachtigall, lead author of the study, said: "We found women taking HRT over a long period of time to be in very good health.
"It’s now clear that women on HRT over many years can enjoy benefits. The risks of HRT have definitely been overstated. The benefits outweigh the risks."
In 2003, a study of more than one million women claimed HRT increased the incidence of breast cancer. Since the research was published, many women have been put off it.
But Dr Helen Webberley, the dedicated GP for Oxford Online Pharmacy, says women shouldn't be afraid.
"HRT is positively recommended for anyone who is under 50 and who has gone through the menopause either naturally or because of surgery," she tells HuffPost UK Lifestyle.
"After the age of 50, however, it is left to the woman's discretion and this is influenced massively by that woman's GP.
"Many women and doctors have been scared off HRT, although it is known to be very safe and effective."
Dr Webberley says symptoms of the menopause can affect "all aspects of a woman's life" and advises women who are struggling to opt for HRT.
"For those who are suffering, HRT can be life changing," she explains. "As an online doctor, I see many women coming for advice on HRT because their GP has either refused to allow them to have it, or taken them off it even though they wanted to continue.
"I am delighted that this new research may give women and their doctors back the confidence to use HRT."
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11 Things You Need To Know About Menopause
What Is It?(01 of11)
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Menopause is when a woman’s menstrual periods cease because the ovaries are no longer producing estrogen and progesterone (a hormone). Once menopause starts, a woman is no longer able to become pregnant. The time period leading up to menopause, when estrogen and progesterone levels are changing and periods can become irregular, is called perimenopause. According to the Office on Women’s Health in the U.S., a woman is considered to have gone through menopause if she has not had a menstrual period for one year — cancelling out other reasons that would cause menstruation to cease, like illness, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Menopause can occur over a wide range of ages, but early 50s is the average, and the menopausal transition can take from two to eight years. (credit:Dorling Kindersley via Getty Images)
Know The Symptoms (02 of11)
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Common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause include irregular or absent menstruation, sleeplessness, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, mood changes, and increased vaginal or urinary tract infections. Some of these symptoms may continue for months or years after a woman stops menstruating, the Office of Women’s Health notes. Tracking symptoms can provide your doctor with helpful information on handling them, and give you a way to anticipate when they might occur. (credit:YunYulia via Getty Images)
But There Are Unusual Symptoms As Well (03 of11)
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"Patients are often surprised to learn that mood swings, depression and sexual dysfunction can also occur,” says Dr. Nina Ali, a gynaecologist with The Menopause Center at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women. "Joint aches and pains and skin changes are sometimes present as well.” Some women may also experience weight gain around their midsections, or lose muscle and gain fat. Changes in sexual desire and drive (up and down) are also possible. (credit:Cavan Images via Getty Images)
Take A Deep Breath (04 of11)
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Some women find relief from hot flashes through relaxing exercises like paced breathing training or meditation, Ali says. When a hot flash starts, practice your preferred mindfulness technique to get some relief from the symptoms. (credit:Michaela Begsteiger via Getty Images)
Exercise And Eat Well(05 of11)
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Staying active during menopause is important, because it helps maintain bone density, muscle mass, and metabolism, Ali says. It’s also important to make sure you get enough calcium to maintain healthy bones: the Office on Women’s Health recommends 1,200 mg of calcium daily for women older than 51, along with 600 IU (international unit) of vitamin D and 800 IU if you are older than 70. If you have experienced menopause but still have vaginal bleeding due to hormone therapy, you may need iron supplements as well. (credit:Tomwang112 via Getty Images)
Stay Cool(06 of11)
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Staying cool overall can help make hot flashes a lot more bearable. Dr. Robert S. Wool, an OB/GYN with Women’s Health Associates suggests adding air conditioning and cool baths to your daily routine. (credit:David Arky via Getty Images)
Consider Herbal Relief (07 of11)
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Some non-hormonal treatments have been shown to provide relief, Dr. Wool says, including a black herb called cohosh. There is some preliminary clinical evidence that black cohosh can provide short-term relief from menopausal symptoms, according to the National Institutes of Health in the United States. Be sure to let your physician know about any herbal supplements you take, in order to avoid harmful interactions with medication. (credit:Foodcollection RF via Getty Images)
Hormone Therapy May Be An Option For Some(08 of11)
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Though it has been very controversial, for some women hormone therapy is safe and provides more benefits than risks, Ali says. "Women who are good candidates for hormone therapy are close to menopause, typically ages 50 to 59, are in good health, do not have cancer, liver disease, unexplained vaginal bleeding, or a history of heart disease or blood clots,” she says. The risks vary with age, she adds, and the therapy is more beneficial when you start at a younger age. "Hormone therapy can effectively relieve hot flashes, vaginal dryness and night sweats,” she says. "Hormone therapy can also protect the bones from osteoporosis, lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, and help with mood and memory.” (credit:hatchapong via Getty Images)
But Be Aware Of The Cautions (09 of11)
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Wool also advises that hormone therapy can be relatively safe in most patients, but gives a few warnings. "There are certain concerns and that would be an increased risk of stroke, an increased risk of VTE or venothrombotic events such as a blood clot in the legs or lungs,” he says. "Plus, the data on breast cancer is not out. There’s mixed feelings on whether or not hormone replacement increases breast cancer.” Each individual patient should speak with her physician to outline her own profile for risks and benefits. (credit:PelageyaKlubnikina via Getty Images)
It May Not Be Menopause (10 of11)
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It’s important to pay attention to changes in your body because the symptoms associated with menopause can have other causes as well. Hot flashes could also be a result of thyroid dysfunction, medication side effects, stress, or fever, Ali notes. For younger women, night sweats could be a sign of infection, lymphoma, or leukemia, Wool says, adding that vaginal dryness should be addressed at any age. And when it comes to the lack of sleep many menopausal women experience, it could be related to environmental factors like stress and anxiety, Ali says. (credit:Jetta Productions via Getty Images)
Take Care Of Your Medical Business (11 of11)
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Preventive care becomes even more important during and after menopause, Ali says, and this includes screening for breast, cervical, and colon cancers. Talk to your physician about your personal risk profile for these conditions and go over the current screening recommendations to find out what you need to have checked. Also, keep up your yearly medical exams, Dr. Wool says, so you have a forum for discussing concerns about menopause with your physician. "There’s a lot of misinformation out there in addition to a lot of different opinions,” he says. "It is important that every woman has this discussion with her own practitioner." (credit:SelectStock via Getty Images)
NICE's draft menopause guidelines, state: "The information and support offered to women during and after the menopause is thought to be variable and, for many, inadequate."
Its authors hope to reassure women and health professionals that "HRT does not affect the risk of dying from breast cancer".
"HRT with oestrogen alone is associated with little or no increase in the risk of breast cancer, but HRT with oestrogen and progestogen can be associated with an increase in the risk of breast cancer," they write.
"Women with a family history of breast cancer who are considering taking, or already taking, HRT should be informed of the increase in breast cancer risk with type and duration of HRT.
"HRT usage in a woman at familial risk should be restricted to as short a duration and as low a dose as possible. Oestrogen-only HRT should be prescribed where possible."
The draft guidelines also point out that HRT "does not increase cardiovascular disease risk when started in women aged under 60 years" and "does not affect the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease".