Menopause news

RT can prolong life if started early

2004

Since publication of results of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) trial in 2002, many women stopped taking HRT because of concerns of increased risk of stroke, heart attack and breast cancer. However, many experts have been concerned that the women in the WHI trial were older than women who would usually take HRT, particularly in the UK, and that the risks were unlikely to apply to women taking HRT in normal circumstances. A new study, the Stanford study, published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, gathered together information from 30 trials, involving 26,708 women. The women were divided into two age groups. In those below the age of 60, those taking HRT had a 39% reduced death rate while there was no effect in the older age group. This information confirms the belief of many experts, that the risks and benefits of HRT are very dependant on age and that if started early enough, HRT may confer significant benefits that extend beyond the control of menopausal symptoms.

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