Hormone replacement therapy: Women who take HRT during menopause ‘risk hearing loss’ – Express.co.uk

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Earlier studies suggested that menopause may increase the risk for hearing loss, due to a reduction in oestrogen levels.

It was also previously thought that and that postmenopausal hormone therapy might slow hearing decline by 'replacing' oestrogen.

However, researchers in the US now claim that the hormone replacement drugs could actually increase the chance of older women going deaf.

To investigate the role of menopause and postmenopausal hormone therapy as risk factors for hearing loss, researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, studied independent links between menopausal status, oral hormone therapy, and risk of self-reported hearing loss in 80,972 women.

Researchers found that 23 percent of the participants in the study suffered hearing loss.

They found found no significant overall association between menopausal status and risk of hearing loss, although higher risk was associated with older age at natural menopause.

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Our research focuses on identifying preventable contributors to hearing loss

Dr Sharon Curhan

Use of postmenopausal hormone therapy was associated with higher risk of hearing loss and the risk increased the longer women took HRT drugs.

Lead author Dr Sharon Curhan said: "Many factors contribute to acquired hearing loss, including age, genetics, noise, medical conditions, diet and lifestyle factors.

"Our research focuses on identifying preventable contributors to hearing loss.

"Although the role of sex hormones in hearing is complex and not completely understood, these findings suggest that women who undergo natural menopause at an older age may have a higher risk.

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In addition, longer duration of postmenopausal hormone therapy use is associated with higher risk.

These findings suggest that hearing health may be a consideration for women when evaluating the risks and benefits of hormone therapy."

The findings are revealed in the journal Menopause, published by the North American Menopause Society.

Originally posted here:
Hormone replacement therapy: Women who take HRT during menopause 'risk hearing loss' - Express.co.uk