Doctors to Curtail Hormone Therapy

Monday, October 21st 2002

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Women who use combined hormone replacement therapy for even short periods of time are at greater risk of developing clots, strokes and heart disease, according to new prescribing guidelines issued to doctors.

The guidelines issued on the 27 September 2002, say women should not take combined HRT for the prevention of heart disease of stroke, and should only take it for the prevention of osteoporosis, if other treatments are impossible.

They were put together by the Guidelines Group, a non-profit group which promotes standards within the health sector. The advice follows a United States study that was halted in July after it showed combined HRT use heightened the risk of stroke, heart disease, blood clots and breast cancer.

About 60,000 New Zealand women take some form of HRT - 11,000 of them taking a combination of oestrogens and progestogen.

While combined HRT effectively controls menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats, women should only use the treatment for "trouble some symptoms, and doctors should fully inform them of the risks, the guidelines say.

Women's Health Action spokeswoman Sandra Coney said since the American study many women seeking information were still being told by doctors there was very little risk associated with combination HRT use.

She hoped the guidelines would help doctors provide clear advice to women deciding if they should continue using combination HRT.

Source The Dominion Post 28 September 2002.

HRT Warning

New drug guidelines advise against long-term use of combined hormone replacement therapy by most women.

Combined HRT, which contains oestrogens and progestogens, has been used to treat menopausal symptoms such as severe hot flushes, vaginal dryness and osteoporosis in women with an intact uterus.

It is taken by tens of thousands of New Zealand women.

The new guidelines, by the New Zealand Guidelines Group, say combined HRT is mostly not recommended for long-term use because the risks of breast cancer, blood clots, stroke and heart disease, outweigh the benefits.

Source New Zealand Herald 28 September 2002

Footnote from Ideal Health

The following supplements are all useful for hormonal balancing and could be used instead of HRT. Use the links for more information.

Dim
EstroSoy Plus
Femaprin
Femitone
Menopause Complete
Mineral Power
Moisturising Vaginal Gel
Wild Yam Gel

Find out more about Hormonal Balancing with Vitex here.

If you need help or advice, you are welcome to email our naturopathic team with your health question.

Disclaimer: The health information presented here has been written for the New Zealand health consumer. It is of a general nature and is only intended to provide a summary of the subjects covered. The information is not intended to be comprehensive or to provide medical advice to you. While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, no responsibility or liability is accepted, and no person should act in reliance on any statement contained in the information provided. All health ailments should be treated by a qualified health professional.

 

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