London, February 18: Despite the general belief, taking combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) around the time of menopause does not reduce the risk of heart disease.
Certain studies have stated that short-term hormone therapy can protect young women against heart disease.
According to a study conducted in Harvard Medical School, taking combined estrogen plus progestin within 10 years of menopause slightly increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases during the first two years of use.
Scientists concluded that long-term combined hormone therapy increases the risk of developing heart attacks and strokes in older women particularly those who initiated therapy close to menopause.
“Our findings are consistent with the current guidelines to use hormone therapy in the smallest doses for the shortest possible time for symptoms only,” said lead researcher Sengwee Toh, stressing that the treatment does not provide any protective benefit if used long term.
—Agencies