
FANTASTICAL WORLD OF HORMONES REVIEW SKIN
But she pointed to a possible biological explanation: Maybe oral estrogen affects enzymes linked to blood pressure as it's being processed, while skin and vaginal versions have much more limited activity in the body.

FANTASTICAL WORLD OF HORMONES REVIEW TRIAL
Sharma would like to see a more rigorous trial that compares different hormone versions. Garima Sharma, a women’s heart specialist with Virginia’s Inova Health System and the American Heart Association. (Estrogen-only pills typically are prescribed to women without a uterus.)ĭifferent versions of hormone therapy may work better for different menopause symptoms, something the study didn't address.īut it adds important clues to understanding the complex relationship between hormone therapy and blood pressure, said Dr. Most commonly used are combination pills of estrogen and another hormone, progestin. Today it’s prescribed not to prevent disease but to relieve menopause-related symptoms - generally using the lowest possible dose for the shortest time. Hormone therapy has a mix of risks and benefits that mean it’s not for everyone. The findings were published in the journal Hypertension. Oral estrogen carried a 19% greater risk than vaginal versions. While the differences weren't huge, women who took estrogen pills had a 14% higher risk of developing hypertension compared to those using skin patches or creams, the researchers reported Monday. They tracked which women went on to develop high blood pressure at least a year after starting treatment.

The University of Calgary team examined health records of more than 112,000 women ages 45 and older who filled prescriptions for at least six months’ worth of estrogen-only hormone treatment between 20. High blood pressure further increases that risk - but it's not clear whether there's a link with hormone therapy for menopause symptoms.Ĭanadian researchers wondered if the way hormones are absorbed - orally, vaginally or through the skin - could play a role. WASHINGTON (AP) - Women often use hormone therapy to relieve hot flashes and other menopause symptoms - and new research suggests patches or creams may be safer for their blood pressure than pills.Īs women's bodies produce lower levels of reproductive hormones during menopause their risk for heart disease rises.
