Women taking a form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) -- specifically
taking estrogen and progestin -- doubles their risk of venous thrombosis,
a type of blood clot that travels through the veins to the lungs,
leading to life-threatening complications and possible interference
with the body's blood clotting mechanism.
In a study analyzing over 16,600 postmenopausal
women between ages 50-79, researchers found:
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Venous thrombosis occurred in 167 women taking combined HRT,
compared to 76 women taking a dummy pill
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Women ages 60-69 taking combined HRT were over four times
more likely to develop a clot, while women in their seventies
were at more than seven times the risk
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Age and obesity increased risk factors associated with combined
HRT
Although there are many risks involved in taking combined HRT,
researchers claim the results do not necessarily mean certain groups
of women should abstain from taking it. And some experts recommend
that combined HRT is the often the best treatment for women suffering
from hot flashes. Some supposed benefits associated with HRT include
reducing the risk of osteoporosis and relieving the symptoms related
to menopause.
However, critics claim the study is flawed because it considered
only women who were much older than those who typically receive
HRT. And, even though HRT drugs offer short-term relief, they should
not be offered for long-term use, experts say, as it can lead to
serious health complications.
Journal
of the American Medical Association October 6, 2004;292(13)
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