Post-menopausal women who take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) gain quality of life in several areas, according to a British study called WISDOM (Women’s International Study of long Duration Oestrogen after Menopause). Studies in recent years have suggested the treatment comes with some safety concerns but tailoring the therapy to an individual’s needs seems to produce maximum benefit with minimum risk of adverse effects.

WISDOM is one of the largest trials of HRT conducted over a sustained period of time. It involved 2,130 women in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom (UK) who were, on average, 13 years past menopause. The research focused on quality of life issues associated with taking HRT that combines both estrogen and progestogen, with emphasis paid to the therapy’s ability to reduce symptoms that include hot flashes, joint pain, night sweats, and sleeplessness.

The study revealed that women taking HRT were less likely to experience these symptoms than women of similar age who were taking placebos. The therapy also led to improved sexuality. Women with the most severe symptoms were found to get the greatest relief when HRT was begun close to the time of menopause.

Some concerns arising from HRT include cardiovascular health but the WISDOM team says this risk is less when HRT begins near menopause than when it begins years afterward.

Breast cancer is another concern linked to HRT but there is little risk when HRT involves estrogen only. The combined form is thought to increase the risk of breast cancer only when taken for seven years or more but the increased risk is no more than 0.1% per year of treatment.

Some women experience undesirable side effects shortly after beginning therapy but these side effects usually go away once dosage is adjusted for the individual patient. The British research team suggests women take a break from HRT every four or five years to see if menopausal symptoms persist. Therapy can be continued or not, according to the needs of the individual.

The research branches of the governments of Australia, New Zealand, and the UK funded the WISDOM project, which is not affiliated with the pharmaceutical industry. The findings of the study are available online today at the website of the British Medical Journal.

Source: University of Adelaide