'HRT Is Safe for Healthy Women'
It's official, I'm told. Healthy women entering menopause can now relax about hormone replacement therapy and should push aside all those concerns about heart disease, breast cancer, and strokes. That's the conclusion of a group of international experts affiliated with the International Menopause Society who convened at a conference in Madrid today. They're worried that all the negative findings coming from the landmark Women's Health Initiative have been overhyped—that women who really need HRT to combat nasty hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings aren't getting it. Their solution? Make a blanket recommendation that it is "safe for healthy women entering menopause."
Wow! That's pretty gutsy.
The group does make some interesting points about flaws in WHI:
• The average age of women in the study was 63, about a decade older than the typical woman going through menopause.
• Of those randomly assigned to take hormones, 36 percent had high blood pressure, 49 percent were current or past smokers, and 34 percent were obese—all of which puts them at greater risk of suffering heart attacks and strokes. (The problem with this point, though, is that the group randomly assigned to take placebos also had these risk factors.)
My concern is whether this group has ties to the drug industry. I don't know, and I wasn't able to get a response to a query this morning. The International Menopause Society makes no mention of its funding on its website, though it does offer a research prize funded by the drug industry. Some critics are calling on American menopause groups to be transparent about how they receive funding.
So how should you think about this latest recommendation if you're considering taking HRT? Take it with a grain of salt and treat yourself as an individual, rather than lumping yourself in with "all healthy women." How much are your menopausal symptoms interfering with your quality of life? Do you have dense breasts (a risk factor for breast cancer) or a family history of breast cancer? Do you have any heart disease risk factors, like hypertension or smoking? Also, check out what I wrote recently about HRT and strokes and about the higher risk of breast biopsies in those who take hormones.
Tags: hormones | menopause | women's health | HRT
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Reader Comments
Healthy skincare
Hello Ladies,
I would just like to remind all the ladies out there, that yes, we all want to avoid chemicals in our food, milk and our household while being pregnant. It is very important. I also want to remind everyone that there are alot of chemicals in skincare today, and pregnant women should only use chemical free or Organic face creams.
Your skin is an organ - that you are sharing with your unborn child. Any chemicals applied to your skin will feed the growth of your child. And please do your research on the internet regarding chemicals in skin care products.
My personal recommendation, is the Made from Earth product line. They are completely chemical free and organic, and their products have a shelf life of 6 months, because they are not presevred with chemicals, but they do use quality ingredients. I used their 3 Berry Face Serum while I was pregnant, and its a great face cream I highly recommend. It actually uses real blueberries in it.
Best of luck to everyone!
HRT and Blood Pressure
Ohhhh, this is so frustrating and confusing! I've not been much of a believer in the WHI study, but have to admit the evidence seems strong. I ignored it for several years, then recently went off the minimal dose of HRT I was taking. Within a couple of months, I started having blood pressure problems - for the first time in my 58-year life.
Making a decision between (a) increased risk of breast cancer, stroke, heart attack and (b) high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, several different drugs to combat those problems. Flip a coin? I don't know! I know the doc was really pleased when I went off the HRT. I know I'm NOT pleased with this higher blood pressure.
hrt for last 33years
I am an RN who had a hysterectomy without oophorectomy at age 43. My MD immediately put me on oral estrogen as he stated that the blood supply to the ovaries is usually compromised by a hysterectomy. At age 76 I am presently enjoying very good health, have hdl of 99, ldl of 22, take a minute dose of lisinopril for my white coat syndrome hypertension, have never reqeuired anything to sleep, still have a 26 inch waistline, am normal weight and excellent posture. I have a little arthritis, but fastwalk on the treadmill 5 days a week, work out on the gym machines and occasionally take some Tylenol.I have had benign breast lumps, but no cancer. I dance weekly in 2 1/2 inch heels.People are astounded when I tell them I am 76. I always mention that I have been on estrogen (now it's a patch) for 33 years.I have never experienced vaginal dryness and am in a longterm sexual relationship with a man of my own age. I have had an uphill battle with my doctors to stay on estrogen,by the way, but I stick to my guns and make my point.
My mother and aunts who stayed on Estrogen also lived healthy lives into their mid eighies and 90's. I would hate to be denied the right to make my own decision about HRT. I fear that my skin would shrivel up, I'd gain a fat abdomen (abdominal fat is very dangerous for heart health), lose inches more in height (I have only lost 3/4 inch so far), have thinning white hair (my hair has virtually no grey and is thick),become forgetful(I still play bridge). I still drive at night and have no depression.I don't leak urine.
I see that my cohorts who have gone off estrogen after the Big Study are now taking Fosamax, statins, anti depressants, sleeping pills and medication for incontinence. Most of them have absolutely no libido left and complain that they now have aching joints, night sweats, depression, sleeplessness, new belly fat that they never had before, etc. to contend with. An inexpensive estrogen medication is now being replaced by an arsenal of new drugs. What a bonanza for the drug industry! I'll bet they rejoiced when they got the info from the Big Study. It would be interesting to see their profits from the above mentioned groups of drugs.
Yes, I am coming on strong about HRT, not mentioning that there are certain groups of people who shouldn't use HRT, but I do feel passionately that I want to live life to its fullest and that others deserve the right to make their own choice without the dectatorial attitude of the doctors who overstress the dangers of HRT. Enough--enough!
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