Menopause Hormone Therapy Linked‍ to Long-Term Reduced Fracture Risk, Study Finds

Boston,‌ MA – Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), often prescribed to manage symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness, may offer a lasting benefit for⁤ bone health, even after treatment cessation.A large-scale study⁤ involving over three million women suggests​ that MHT can significantly reduce the risk of fractures in older age, a finding that could reshape ​recommendations for women⁤ navigating menopause.

“Our⁤ study suggests that,‍ even ⁤after stopping menopausal hormone therapy, women could ⁣benefit from notably reduced fracture risk in older ⁤age,” the authors of ​the study wrote. ⁣”This‌ likelihood holds for those who⁣ might have used menopausal hormone ‌therapy for⁢ shorter periods because of concerns ‌such as ‍breast cancer.”

This research, led by Yana Vinogradova, PhD, from the University ​of Nottingham in the ⁢United ‌Kingdom, analyzed the health ‍records of 648,747 women aged⁣ 40 and older who experienced their first fracture between January 1, 1998,‌ and February 28, 2023. These ‍women were‍ matched with up‍ to five control participants (2,357,125 women) of the same age and practice with no fracture history.⁣ The⁣ study ⁢assessed MHT-related fracture risks using sophisticated‍ statistical methods,⁤ accounting for various demographic factors,‍ family⁣ history, menopausal symptoms, comorbidities, and ⁢other⁢ medications. The ‌research was designed to evaluate the impact of MHT containing estrogen and progestogen for up to 25 years ‌after discontinuing therapy.

Understanding Estrogen’s Role in bone Health

Dr. Sharon Kwolek, assistant professor at harvard Medical School in Boston and founding ⁢lead of the ⁣Mass General Women’s Health and Sex and Gender Medicine Program, explained the biological basis for these findings. “Estrogen⁣ has⁣ long been known to be vital for bone health, especially in ⁢the perimenopausal to menopausal transition, and ⁤estrogen could prevent the bone loss that increases right at‍ menopause,” she ‍stated. Historically,the prevailing understanding was ⁤that the bone-protective benefits of MHT diminished once therapy was stopped.

“We had been⁢ saying more recently that when women go off estrogen, there should be a ‌plan for how their ‌bone‍ health may be addressed, possibly with medication and ‍close monitoring,” Kwolek added.

Navigating Fracture Risk: A Personalized Approach

The new study’s findings offer a more nuanced viewpoint, suggesting a sustained protective effect. Though, Kwolek emphasizes the importance​ of ‌individualizing care. “It’s critically important to ⁤consider what a patient’s fracture risk is to start with,” ​she advised.For⁢ a young, healthy woman without osteoporosis, a slight increase in fracture ​risk after stopping hormones might⁤ not ​be a major concern.‌ Conversely, ‍for a 70-year-old woman with existing osteoporosis who discontinues MHT, the⁢ effects could ⁤be more significant,‍ potentially warranting the initiation of bone-strengthening medication.

Kwolek ⁢cautioned against interpreting⁢ the temporary increase in fracture risk post-MHT as a reason to avoid starting the therapy altogether. She highlighted the ‌study’s strengths, including its extensive dataset⁣ and long follow-up period, which⁤ shed ​light on a ⁢critical aspect ⁣of women’s health that ‌is often overlooked.

Overlooked Transitions in‍ Women’s Healthcare

“Whether in primary‍ care or ⁢gynecologic appointments, ⁢people aren’t paying as much attention to these transitions as I‍ think they ⁣should,”⁤ Kwolek remarked, underscoring the need for greater focus on menopausal health and its long-term​ implications.The authors and Kwolek declared no relevant financial relationships.