May 28, 2008 – Replacement hormones prescribed to postmenopausal women may increase the risk of venous thromboembolism, according to French and Scottish researchers1. This cardiovascular disorder results from the obstruction of a vein caused by the passage of blood clots.
The researchers analyzed the results of 24 studies involving more than 200,000 postmenopausal women. According to the results, women who took hormone replacement therapy were two and a half times more likely to have thromboembolism than those who did not.
The risk would be increased during the first year of treatment, as well as in people at high risk of thromboembolic disorders. On the other hand, it would decrease rapidly after discontinuation of treatment.
Transdermal hormone therapy (hormones given in the form of skin patches) would not increase the risk of thromboembolism. However, researchers are cautious about the safety of skin patches due to the small number of studies that have looked at this method of administration.
Researchers believe that more studies will be needed to better assess the risks and benefits of the various modes of administration of replacement hormones.
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
According to Reuters Health.
1. Canonico M, Plu-Bureau G, et al. Hormone replacement therapy and risk of venous thromboembolism in postmenopausal women: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2008 May 20.
