Hormone Replacement Therapy – Updated Recommendations, At Last!

Editor's Choice Academic Journal Main Category: Menopause Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology;Endocrinology Article Date: 26 May 2013 - 0:00 PDT

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Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT is prescribed for women whose progesterone and estrogen levels drop significantly, usually due to the menopause. Progesterone and estrogen are hormones. HRT raises a woman's levels of vital hormones. HRT may refer to male hormonal treatment, it is also prescribed for people who undergo a sex change.

There are three main types of HRT for women:

Even since the findings from the WHI (Women's Health Initiative) Trial in 2002, HRT has been mired in confusion and controversy. In fact, HRT's risks received so much attention that its benefits have been mostly forgotten.

In the WHI estrogen and progestogen study, a small increase in breast cancer risk was found after five years of HRT usage - the increase was of about 1 extra case per 1,000 women per year. The WHI estrogen-alone trial found a small but statistically significant reduction in breast cancer risk. The Million Women Study also raised concerns regarding breast cancer risk for women on long-term HRT.

Recently, the WHI and MWS studies have been criticized, with experts saying there were key flaws which limit the ability of the studies to establish a causal link between HRT and breast cancer.

A panel of experts, including endocrinologists, gynecologists and other health care professionals and scientists have carefully considered, researched and re-assessed the WHI and MWS studies, as well as other trials and studies. The new guidelines offer doctors a detailed review of the available evidence to help them make the best possible clinical decisions, as well as providing women with more balanced, impartial and accurate HRT treatments for menopausal females.

The aim of the HRT recommendations is to complement the BMS Observations and Recommendations on Menopause. These new guidelines detail key recommendations explaining how women can optimize their transition into menopause and beyond.

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Hormone Replacement Therapy - Updated Recommendations, At Last!