Are menopause relief pills risky?

Women on hormone replacement therapy should be aware that there is a small chance of an increased risk of blood clots and possibly stroke , the results of a survey indicate.

The research was done by the international Cochrane Group, which looked at the medical studies of 40,000 women.

While hormone replacement therapy pills may ease menopausal symptoms and offer protection against cardiovascular disease, they may lead to some unexpected harm. p>

Women who face this dilemma should consult their doctors.

The Cochrane researchers said their study was not conclusive and more research was needed to determine the benefits and harms of hormone replacement therapy. Many women have started taking preparations in the form of gel instead of tablets, which means that they are aware of the risk of pills.

Hormone replacement therapy – pros and cons

Over time, there have been many studies dealing with the negatives of hormone replacement therapy. The use of the tablets can lead to breast or ovarian cancer, as well as the formation of blood clots.

But regardless of the risks involved, most experts agree that hormone replacement therapy can be a good and safe treatment that helps many women manage the unpleasant symptoms of menopause >.

One million women in the UK are on some form ofhormone replacement therapy.

The researchers only looked at women taking oral pills.

HRT tablets have been found to:

1) To reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in women.

2) Increase the risk of blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis.

3) Possible increase in the risk of stroke.

But the studies are not fully confirmed – the effects are affected depending on the age of the woman and how long she has been using these tablets.

For example, protection against cardiovascular disease was only seen in the youngest women in the study.

According to scientists’ calculations, if 1,000 women under the age of 60 started hormone therapy for seven years, more cases of blood clots could soon be observed. > in them, in contrast to those who do not use pills to relieve symptoms.

The risk of stroke and formation of blood clots is described in the product information. Experts advise that women on hormone replacement therapy should undergo regular check-ups, and their need to continue treatment should be checked at least once a year.

“This study demonstrates the risk of stroke or blood clots with hormone replacement therapy,” said Maureen Tabolt, a member of the British Heart Foundation. “It’s important that women understand the risks and benefits of HRT and often see a doctor for advice,” Tabolt added.

“Women should not be afraid to seek help and treatment for menopausal symptoms,” said Janice Rumer, professor of gynecology and spokeswoman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

“If you’re significantly overweight or have a family history of blood clotting problems, you’re likely to be affected,” Rumer added.