Hormone replacement therapy safe, doctors say

Dubai: Treating symptoms of menopause through hormone replacement therapy (HRT) considered risky by earlier studies is safe to use to some extent, doctors on Saturday said at a Womens Health seminar at the Al Bustan Rotana Hotel.

The seminar, organised by the Ministry of Health, is part of the Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme for healthcare providers in the country.

A study conducted by Womens Health Institute ten years ago found that menopausal women taking HRT developed an increased risk of breast cancer, stroke, heart disease, blood clots and dementia in women aged 65 and above. This gave HRT a bad impression making doctors avoid giving this as an option for treating symptoms of menopause such as hot flushes, night sweats, depression, and sexual dysfunction, among others.

I call it a biased study. To me, Im a great advocate of HRT and I think women have to have a good quality of life and that you can give it if there are no absolute contraindications like if she didnt have breast cancer or family member that has breast cancer, or endometrial cancer, or there is no history of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis), Dr Kauser Perveen Mansour, Senior Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist and Head of Department, Al Qassimi Hospital, told Gulf News.

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Dr Mansour said women taking HRT should also be advised not to smoke and not to consume alcohol. Their blood pressure and lipid levels should likewise be controlled.

HRT is safe if you dont have any contraindications. And that can be safely used for three to five years and you can at least give it initially when shes symptomatic until the time her body settles and gets used to these things, which normally does, Dr Mansour said.

Dr Mariam Ahmad Shaker, Consultant Family Medicine, Director of Muhaisnah Health Centre and head of CME Committee PHC, told Gulf News that consulting with your doctor about HRT is still the best option.

Hormone replacement therapy is safe provided it is [taken] under the supervision of a doctor, Dr Shaker said.

During the seminar, other womens health issues such as antenatal care, living with stress and family planning were also discussed.

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Hormone replacement therapy safe, doctors say