In a brand new research, researchers analyzed the consequences of seven completely different hormone remedies for menopausal signs on the chance of blood clots, stroke and coronary heart assault. The research, which concerned round a million girls aged between 50 and 58, is the most important and most complete research of at present prescribed hormonal substances on this planet. The outcomes present that the dangers differ relying on the energetic substance and the way the drugs is taken.
Researchers at Uppsala College analyzed the consequences of seven completely different hormone remedies for menopausal signs on the chance of blood clots, stroke and coronary heart assault.
Research lead creator Therese Johansson commented, “There may be concern amongst girls that menopausal hormone remedy will increase the chance of heart problems. This concern relies on older research carried out greater than 20 years in the past that solely checked out one kind of remedy. Since then, many new preparations have been launched and our research exhibits that the earlier conclusions don’t apply to all sorts of remedies.”
Most girls enter menopause between 50 and 60, when estrogen ranges quickly decline, growing the chance of osteoporosis. The low ranges also can contribute to signs resembling scorching flashes, temper swings and issue sleeping. To counteract these well being results, girls could also be prescribed hormone substitute remedy involving medicines containing hormones or hormone-like substances.
Within the new research, the researchers checked out seven several types of at present used hormone substitute remedies, administered through tablets, hormone patches or hormone-releasing IUDs. The research relies on all prescriptions for hormone substitute remedy in Sweden from 2007 to 2020. The ladies have been monitored for 2 years after beginning hormone substitute remedy. The chance of blood clots and heart problems was in contrast between girls who had and had not collected a prescription medication for hormone substitute remedy.
In line with Johansson, the outcomes present clearly that the dangers of hormone substitute remedy range relying on the kind of remedy. For instance, she identified, the artificial hormone tibolone (not accessible within the US), which mimics the consequences of the physique’s pure hormones, was linked to an elevated danger of each coronary heart assault and stroke, however to not an elevated danger of blood clots. The chance of coronary heart assault or stroke on account of tibolone is estimated at one in a thousand girls.
Mixed preparations containing each estrogen and progesterone as an alternative improve the chance of blood clots, together with deep vein thrombosis, they discovered. Blood clots kind within the veins and may break free and journey with the circulation to the lungs, resulting in pulmonary embolism. The researchers estimate that the chance of deep vein thrombosis ensuing from this mixed preparation is about seven per thousand girls per 12 months.
Through the interval of the research, 2007-2020, Johansson and her staff noticed a rise in the usage of hormone patches by about 50 p.c; however these preparations weren’t linked to the identical greater danger. She famous that the elevated use of safer alternate options, resembling patches, is a vital step ahead in lowering the chance of heart problems amongst menopausal girls.
Reference:
Therese Johansson et al. “Modern menopausal hormone remedy and danger of heart problems: Swedish nationwide register primarily based emulated goal trial.” BMJ, 2024 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2023-078784
