HRT Study Raised Red Flags

Friday, March 17th 2006

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Oestrogen-progestogen pills do not reduce the risk of ovarian cancer and might even increase it, according to a study that raises more red flags about a once widely accepted treatment for women going through menopause.

It's more bad news for hormones, says American Cancer Society epidemiologist Dr Carmen Rodriguez.

The findings came from the federally funded Women's Health Initiative study, part of which was abruptly halted in 2002 because of evidence that oestrogen-progestogen pills raise the risk of breast cancer, heart attacks and strokes.

Previous findings on hormone pills and ovarian cancer have been inconsistent. Some studies, especially those involving oestrogen-only pills, showed an increased risk. But some doctors have theorised that combination pills would reduce the risk because they contain hormones similar to those in birth control pills, which have been shown to lower the odds.

The new analysis found that 32 of the 16,608 participants developed ovarian cancer during about five years of follow-up. There were 20 cases of women who took hormones and 12 of those on dummy pills.

The analysis is probably the best we have so far, says Dr Rodriguez, though questions remain because so few women developed the rare cancer.

Source, New Zealand Herald, 6 October 2003

Footnote from Ideal Health

The following products are all useful for HRT alternatives :

Black Cohosh Standardised
DIM
Estrosoy Plus
Evening Primrose Oil
Femplex
Femaprin
Femzone
Hot Flush Fix
Maca Gold
Meno-Life
Menopause Relief
Self Test Female Hormone Test Kit
PMT Relief
Vitex

Related health information can be found here:

7-Keto DHEA, the fountain of youth hormone
Calcium Deficiency
Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus castus) as a hormone balancer
DIM Plus to assist in cancer prevention
Herbal phytoestrogens and menopause
Hormonal Changes
Infertility
Menopause
Menustrual Problems
Suffering from menopausal symptoms? Femitone may help

Related articles can be found here:

Current Combined HRT Use Doubles Risk of Breast Cancer

Doctors to Curtail Hormone Therapy

Estrogen-Progestin Associated With Increased Risk of Stroke and Dementia

Fat Intake Linked to Breast Cancer in Premenopausal Women

Low Bone Mineral Density Linked to Dementia in Women

Menopause Not Linked to Decline in Cognitive Functioning

Soy Protein With Isoflavones Has Favorable Effect on Lipids in Postmenopausal Women

Women To Get Warning On Injection

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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