Study of early estrogen's effect on heart disease similar to WHI findingsMarch 01, 2006Researchers in The Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at Yale have launched the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS), which will further understanding of the possible beneficial effects on the heart and arteries and/or quality of life in recently menopausal women. The study will explore whether beginning hormone therapy in women during the menopausal transition (ages 42 to 58) protects against atherosclerosis, the major cause of heart attacks. This study is supported by the recent release of results from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI). That study initially suggested that there were few benefits of estrogen on atherosclerosis. The National Institutes of Health halted the study in 2002. Women in WHI were postmenopausal, with a mean age of 63, yet most women begin hormone treatment much younger, at the onset of menopausal symptoms. Today's study reports the results by age. The younger women, those 50 to 59-years-old, who used estrogen showed a beneficial effect on the heart. "These findings are consistent with estrogen having a beneficial effect if used early, but a negative effect if used late," said Principal Investigator of the KEEPS trial at Yale, Hugh S. Taylor, M.D. "Estrogen seems to work by limiting the progression of atherosclerotic changes rather than treating established disease. You can't turn back the clock. Estrogen works by preventing disease, but it doesn't work if one goes for years without it. Newly menopausal women can use estrogen for relief of hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms without worrying about their heart. Women close to menopause might even see benefits for their heart." The Yale team is seeking 90 healthy, recently menopausal women ages 42 to 58 for the trial that will study the effects of using pill and skin patch hormone therapy. Compensation will be provided for participants accepted into the study. Yale University |
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| Related Estrogen Current Events and Estrogen News Articles Menopause-cardiology consensus statement on cardiovascular disease and on HRT A menopause-cardiology consensus statement has called for direct action to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) in menopausal women. The statement also concludes that there is little evidence of increased CVD risk in taking HRT. Heart and bone damage from low vitamin D tied to declines in sex hormones Researchers at Johns Hopkins are reporting what is believed to be the first conclusive evidence in men that the long-term ill effects of vitamin D deficiency are amplified by lower levels of the key sex hormone estrogen, but not testosterone. Fertility procedures need not delay breast cancer treatment for younger women A new study published in the November issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons shows that breast cancer patients under 40 years old who undergo fertility preservation do not face a significant delay in the treatment of their disease when their care is coordinated in a timely fashion. Coffee break: Compound brewing new research in colon, breast cancer A compound in coffee has been found to be estrogenic in studies by Texas AgriLife Research scientists. Mayo researchers find robotic repair for vaginal prolapse has significant benefits New Mayo Clinic research has found that robotic surgery for vaginal prolapse dramatically reduces patient hospital stay and recovery time. Estrogen therapy likely must be given soon after menopause to provide stroke protection For estrogen replacement to provide stroke protection, it likely must be given soon after levels drop because of menopause or surgical removal of the ovaries, scientists report in the Journal of Neuroscience. Oral contraceptives may benefit women with asthma New research shows that during natural menstrual cycles, women with asthma who were not taking oral contraceptives (OC) had lower exhaled nitric oxide levels (eNO), a marker of airway inflammation associated with asthma, than women who were taking OC. Study shows hormone replacement therapy decreases mortality in younger postmenopausal woman Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat menopausal estrogen deficiency has been in widespread use for over 60 years. Several observational studies over the years showed that HRT use by younger postmenopausal women was associated with a significant reduction in total mortality; available evidence supported the routine use of HRT to increase longevity in postmenopausal women. Hormone mix could cut breast cancer risk and treat symptoms of menopause The right combination of estrogen and a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), which blocks the effects of estrogen in breast tissue, could relieve menopause symptoms and cut breast cancer risk. Breast tenderness during hormone replacement therapy linked to elevated cancer risk Women who developed new-onset breast tenderness after starting estrogen plus progestin hormone replacement therapy were at significantly higher risk for developing breast cancer than women on the combination therapy who didn't experience such tenderness, according to a new UCLA study. More Estrogen Current Events and Estrogen News Articles |
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