A decade after the Women's Health Initiative stopped a widely used hormone therapy, experts have reassessed its benefits and risks. The new research supports the use of hormone therapy near menopause to alleviate symptoms and reduce the risk of heart disease and fractures for most women.
The International Menopause Society consensus statement emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about cardiovascular disease risks in postmenopausal women. The statement also concludes that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is generally safe and may have cardioprotective effects, particularly for younger women.
A systematic review of 106 studies found that acupuncture is not effective in reducing the frequency and severity of hot flushes during menopause. While one study suggested favorable effects of acupuncture on symptom severity, the overall evidence does not support its use as a treatment option.
Global menopause experts conclude that HRT is safe and beneficial for healthy women in the early postmenopausal period. The Zürich Summit reviews evidence on the safety, risks, and benefits of HRT, finding no increased risk of chronic heart disease or breast cancer in this group. HRT also maintains bone health and may delay cognitive d...
A new Kaiser Permanente study suggests a possible link between breast cancer incidence and postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) use, but concludes that the association is complex and influenced by various factors, including mammography screening rates. Long-term HT may slightly increase breast cancer risk, particularly in younger women.
The recent WHI-CACS study confirms estrogen therapy is cardioprotective, reducing atherosclerosis and coronary events. Early initiation of hormone therapy may even reduce the risk of coronary artery disease.
The International Menopause Society has updated its recommendations on hormone therapy for postmenopausal women, highlighting the importance of individualized treatment and a balanced approach. The new guidelines take into account the latest scientific evidence and aim to provide a global framework for menopause management.
A 6.7% decrease in breast cancer incidence among US women aged 50+ was reported, likely linked to a decline in hormone therapy use following the Women's Health Initiative study. However, other factors may contribute to this trend, and more research is needed.