The link was made by the international Cochrane group, which looked at
medical trials involving some 40,000 women.
While (HRT) Hormone Replacement Therapy pills can ease menopausal symptoms and may
offer some protection against heart disease, this must be weighed against other
possible harms.
The Cochrane researchers say their study is not the final word on HRT -
more investigations are needed to get a clearer picture of all the benefits and
risks.
Experts also point out that many women now take HRT as a
patch or gel rather than a tablet - the study did not look at these
formulations.
HRT pros and cons
Over the years, there has been a lot of research into and
negative press about HRT.
Its use has been linked to breast and ovarian
cancer, as well as blood clots.
But while risks do exist, most experts agree that HRT can be
a good and safe treatment to help many women control unpleasant menopausal
symptoms, such as hot flushes.
One million women in the UK are on some form of hormone
replacement therapy - be that pills, patches or gels.
The Cochrane Review only looked at women taking oral HRT
tablets.
It found HRT may:
- Lower a woman's risk of developing heart disease
- Increase her risk of blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis
- Possibly increase her risk of stroke
But the findings were not clear-cut - the effect
varied according to a woman's age, when she experienced the menopause and how
long she had been taking HRT.
For example, the heart protection was only seen in the
youngest women in the study - those younger than 60 when they began taking HRT,
or women who had started the treatment relatively soon after reaching the
menopause.
And in terms of absolute numbers, the risks were small.
By the researchers' calculations, if 1,000 women under 60
years old started hormone therapy and stayed on it for seven years, you might
expect to see five extra cases of blood clots and four more strokes, compared
with 1,000 similar women not on HRT.
At the same time, there would be six fewer deaths and eight
fewer cases of heart disease in the HRT group.
Lead researcher Dr Henry Boardman said the findings needed
careful consideration.
"This is a complicated health issue, where the same
treatment offers benefits in some women, but harms in others."
The risk of stroke and blood clots is listed in the product
information for women and prescribers.
And experts already advise that women on HRT should have
regular health check-ups, and their need to continue treatment should be
re-assessed at least annually.
Maureen Talbot of the British Heart Foundation said:
"This study supports what we already know and indicates a possible
increased risk of stroke or formation of a blood clot in some women.
"It is important that women have a full understanding
of the risks and benefits of HRT and should talk this through with their
GP."
Janice Rymer is professor of gynaecology, spokeswoman for
the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and a member of the
British Menopause Society.
She said that women should not be scared off from seeking
help and treatment for menopausal symptoms.
"If you are severely overweight and have a family
history of clotting problems then it probably isn't going to be for you.
"But we know about the risks and, for most, they are
small. The absolute numbers are very small."
Please contribution and attention is seriously needed in the on going Pills booster to HRT , as it has being discovered that 75% disadvantage is attached to it. Leading to varies diseases........
ReplyDeleteWhat other option can be apply instead of pills?????