Do Post-Menopause Hormone Supplements Shorten your life?

Hormone supplementation once thought to create health problems, has been debunked by a new study at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston by Dr. JoAnn Manson, and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Previous research was discontinued when early findings seemed to reveal an increased incidence of heart attacks, stokes, and breast cancer when participants were taking either estrogen or a combination of progesterone and estrogen as compared with placebo.

The new research involving an 18-year follow-up revealed that long-term use of hormones after menopause was not nearly as harmful as previously thought. In fact, it does not shorten life. Women on hormone replacement has the same incidence of illness and mortality as those who did not take hormones. Additionally, the scientists found that replacement hormones are appropriate for short-term use for relieving symptoms of menopause.

Original research stared in the 90’s backed by the US government was set up to test the effects of hormone replacement therapy in a double-blind study using Premarin (estrogen) and Prempro (estrogen-progestin) and placebo pills.  At the time they were thought to boost memory and reduce cardio-vascular disease. The results were confusing with women already dealing with health risks; the hormones seemed to make things worse, so the study was discontinued.

The new study looked at 7,500 women aged 50 to 79 who passed away from different causes and 10 years after stopping the hormone therapy. This represented about 27% of the original group. The average woman was older that a typical user might be, past menopause, and taking more than the lowest dose recommended. The placebo group was also involved. The results showed very little difference in mortality in either group, that is, 8% died from breast and other cancers, and 9% from heart disease. Younger women actually had less mortality while on the hormones, but became normal after cessation of hormone therapy.

HRT- Hormone Replacement therapy is not recommended if the patient has:

• Blood clots
• Cancer (such as breast, uterine, or endometrial)
• Heartor liver disease
• Heart attack
• Known or suspected pregnancy
• Stroke

HRT may have some side effects. Call your doctor if you have any of these:

• Bloating
• Breastswelling or tenderness
• Headaches
• Mood changes
• Nausea
• Vaginal bleeding

Prempro and Premarin are approved for menopause and osteoporosis treatment by the FDA, however, some physicians and women are skeptical of their use. While more research and follow-up is needed Dr. Manson states that the bottom line is that hormone replacement therapy is safe.