HRT- Fret No More!

More controversy over Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)? First it was bad but now it is good.

For millions of women, menopause can be downright miserable. Symptoms include hot flushes, mood swings and brittle bones. HRT can prevent that, and give older women a new lease of life. So women all over the world started on HRT. However,five years ago a high profile study from America linked HRT to heart disease, strokes and breast cancer. Patients panicked and discontinued the medication in droves only to be told now that the US report was wrong.

So what are we to believe? Professor John Studd, the Chairman of the British Menopause Society tells us the latest thinking.

This is his update:

"The Million Women study has been criticised because of its eccentric data collection, resulting five years ago in a considerable overestimation of breast cancer. Today, patients and their doctors are still confused as to what the truth is at the moment. However, menopausologists are quite certain that HRT given to women younger than 60 can reduce heart attacks and prevent colon cancer and osteoporosis of the hip and spine. It has no effect on stroke but may possibly cause a slight increase in breast cancer of a less advanced grade."

The Professor thought that women with appropriate vasomotor symptoms, hormone-responsive depression and low bone density, should not be discouraged from using HRT. He is saddened that many GPs are still relying on the now discredited WHI data and not recommending HRT to their patients.

So, what do you know? It is generally safe to restart on HRT again.


Heartsong