Estrogen pills linked to higher incidence of stroke among older women

Estrogen pills linked to higher incidence of stroke among older women

Estrogen pills are prescribed for older women who have had their uterus removed and about one quarter of those in menopause have underwent the procedure called hysterectomy.

But some studies linking the hormone pills to stroke and heart attacks have sparked fears among menopausal women.

A new federal health study of 10,739 women shows that these fears are largely unfounded because estrogen pills or any hormone pills for that matter, do not pose health risks if taken only within a short amount of time to relieve hot flashes or other symptoms of menopause.

Participants of the Women's Health Initiative study took estrogen pills for six years and underwent follow-up for four years after they stopped taking the hormone replacement pills.

The study showed a slight increase in the risk of blood clots and stroke shown by other studies. But the findings also showed that the risks were reduced during follow-up, when the women had halted using estrogen pills.

The study authors said that the new findings did not alter current guidelines but reinforces them instead. Physicians prescribe hormones in the lowest dose possible for the shortest duration needed to minimize risks.

Wednesday's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association will feature the study, where the authors recommend clinicians to work with menopausal women more closely about hormone therapy with regards to age and hysterectomy status.

Another finding of the study is the heightened risk of hip fractures among women in the menopausal stage -- an unfortunate consequence of withdrawing the use of estrogen pills which can strengthen bones.

Posted by George Daniels on Wednesday April 06 2011, 12:12 AM EST. Ref: AP. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Health. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0