Hormone therapy for menopause should not be used for long term chronic disease prevention, a new study found. Though, the researchers add, the treatment may help women manage hot flashes during the short term.
Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the report looked at data from nearly 28,000 women.
Based on the results, the researchers determined that the risk of serious health issues rose rose while women were on treatment, but normalized after going off the pills
"This is the most comprehensive evidence base available for clinical decision making and it does suggest that hormone therapy should not be used for long-term chronic disease prevention - but it remains an appropriate option for short-term management of menopausal symptoms in early menopause," Dr. JoAnn Manson, the study's lead author from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, told reporters.
Participants of the study came from an original research series known as the Women's Health Initiative, which included large, randomized trials analyzing the effects of hormone therapy. The trials were stopped when a clear link was discovered between those taking estrogen alone or in combination with progesterone, and ovarian and breast cancer, strokes and other health issues.
In the case of the new study, the scientists examined the data from these studies and up to eight years after women discontinued therapy. In all, about 80 percent of the original participants were included.
The results showed that in the case of combined hormones, there were six additional instances of heart problems, nine more strokes, nine more blood clots in the lungs and nine more instances of breast cancer for every 10,000 women. However, there were six fewer cases of colorectal cancer, one fewer case of uterine cancer, six fewer hip fractures and one fewer death for this same group.
The researchers add that while most effects stopped once the women went off the drugs, the risk of breast cancer remained slightly higher than the control group.
Women who took only estrogen saw a reduced risk of breast cancer and heart problems, though the results were the same as those on combined hormones in the case of all other conditions. The catch is that estrogen alone can only be given to those who have had their uterus removed, as it can increase the risk of uterine cancer when given on its own.
According to Reuters, Dr. Betsy Nabel, president of Brigham and Women's Hospital, said of the study: "Ultimately, every woman should discuss their individual risk profile and the best way to manage their symptoms with their care provider to decide what the best choice is for them."