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| Using HRT to treat menopause is safe, says study | Using HRT to treat menopause is safe, says study |
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| Using hormone replacement therapy to treat uncomfortable symptoms of menopause is completely safe, according to the authors of a decade-long study. | Using hormone replacement therapy to treat uncomfortable symptoms of menopause is completely safe, according to the authors of a decade-long study. |
| The research by New York University, presented to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in Baltimore, suggests the risks of serious side-effects have been overstated. | The research by New York University, presented to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in Baltimore, suggests the risks of serious side-effects have been overstated. |
| The study is based on a relatively small number of participants but tracked them over a long period. | The study is based on a relatively small number of participants but tracked them over a long period. |
| Researchers analysed women on HRT who had been taking it for an average of 14 years, carrying out full-body scans on 80 women every year for 10 years, comparing them with 56 women who had not taken the treatment during menopause. | Researchers analysed women on HRT who had been taking it for an average of 14 years, carrying out full-body scans on 80 women every year for 10 years, comparing them with 56 women who had not taken the treatment during menopause. |
| Women who took HRT for up to 25 years were no more likely to develop breast cancer, heart disease or diabetes than any other women who did not take the treatment, the study found. | Women who took HRT for up to 25 years were no more likely to develop breast cancer, heart disease or diabetes than any other women who did not take the treatment, the study found. |
| HRT treats uncomfortable symptoms of the menopause, such as hot flushes, migraines and depression, by replacing the oestrogen lost by the body. | HRT treats uncomfortable symptoms of the menopause, such as hot flushes, migraines and depression, by replacing the oestrogen lost by the body. |
| Dr Lila Nachtigall, professor of obstetrics and gynaecology who is the lead author of the research, said: “We found women taking HRT over a long period of time to be in very good health. | Dr Lila Nachtigall, professor of obstetrics and gynaecology who is the lead author of the research, said: “We found women taking HRT over a long period of time to be in very good health. |
| “It’s now clear that women on HRT over many years can enjoy benefits. The risks of HRT have definitely been overstated. The benefits outweigh the risks.” | “It’s now clear that women on HRT over many years can enjoy benefits. The risks of HRT have definitely been overstated. The benefits outweigh the risks.” |
| In 2003, the Million Women Study at Oxford University, funded partly by Cancer Research UK, found that women taking HRT had an increased risk of developing breast cancer, but studies later cast doubt on the findings, despite the far higher numbers of women involved in that research. | In 2003, the Million Women Study at Oxford University, funded partly by Cancer Research UK, found that women taking HRT had an increased risk of developing breast cancer, but studies later cast doubt on the findings, despite the far higher numbers of women involved in that research. |
| After the 2003 study, the Medical Healthcare and Regulatory Agency recommended women be given the “lowest effective dose … for the shortest time” and the number of prescriptions in the UK fell dramatically, from 2 million women before the research to just 1 million presently. | After the 2003 study, the Medical Healthcare and Regulatory Agency recommended women be given the “lowest effective dose … for the shortest time” and the number of prescriptions in the UK fell dramatically, from 2 million women before the research to just 1 million presently. |
| In February, scientists at Oxford University suggested women who take the treatment have a significantly increased risk of developing ovarian cancer, after analysis of 52 previous studies involving 21,000 women. | In February, scientists at Oxford University suggested women who take the treatment have a significantly increased risk of developing ovarian cancer, after analysis of 52 previous studies involving 21,000 women. |
| NHS watchdog Nice is due to publish new advice on HRT next month, and is expected to recommend a significant expansion in the number of women given the drug. | |
| It will also highlight how information and support given to women suffering side-effects both during and after the menopause is inadequate for many patients. | It will also highlight how information and support given to women suffering side-effects both during and after the menopause is inadequate for many patients. |