[Postmenopausal hormone-replacement therapy discredited, except in healthy women shortly after menopause].

Abstract

Results from the Women's Health Initiative randomized trial in 16,608 healthy postmenopausal women have revealed more risks than benefits in terms of invasive breast cancer and cardiovascular disease rates in patients treated for more than 5 years with a combination of conjugated oestrogens and progestin compared with placebo. Hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) is more effective in healthy women (maintaining vascular health) than in older women with atherosclerosis (restoring endothelial dysfunction). The initiation of HRT in patients at risk of a cardiovascular event results in an increased rate of cardiovascular complications and has not been proven beneficial in the long term. The point at which HRT is started after menopause plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of hormones on the vascular system: it is uncertain whether HRT initiated shortly after menopause can delay clinical signs of atherosclerotic disease.

• Authors: A H E M Maas, Y van der Graaf
• Journal: Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde (Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd) Vol. 146 Issue 45 Pg. 2127-30 (Nov 09 2002) ISSN: 0028-2162 [Print] Netherlands
• Vernacular Title: Hormonale suppletietherapie in de postmenopauze in diskrediet, behavle voor gezonde vrouwen kort na de menopauze.
• PMID: 12474550 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Topics

• Breast Neoplasms (chemically induced, epidemiology)
• Cardiovascular Diseases (chemically induced, epidemiology)
• Coronary Artery Disease (chemically induced, epidemiology)
• Estrogen Replacement Therapy (adverse effects)
• Female
• Health Status
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Risk Assessment
• Time Factors