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Sponsored by US National
lnsti-
tute
of
Health
(NlH), the
Women's
Health
lnitiative
(WHl)
compared
hormone
therapy
(HT) versus controls
in post-menopausal women. The
NIH
halted the
estrogen/progestin
arm of
the
study prematurely
as
there was
a
small
increase
for
breast cancer and heart
diseases (despite lesser large
bowel
cancer or
hip
fractures). Come
2005,
the on-going "estrogen only" arm
will
be reported then. As subjects recruited
were those years after the menopause
(mean
age 63), it
may
not
be
totally
relevant
for
younger
women (with
signif
icantly lower risks
of
heart
disease)
taking
HT. Moreover, some
subjects may have deduced their
"on
treatment" status as
they
noticed body
physiological changes, despite
the
identical appearance
of
"control"
and
the "hormone"
pills
-
these subject were
thus
no
longer
"blind"
and
biases may
exist,
e.9., cancer screening compli-
ance may
be
enhanced
for
them
but
not
for controls. Currently,
always discuss
with your doctor
first
before stopping
HT.
ln
general, HT
is
indicated for
major menopausal symptoms but
not
solely for prevention of heart disease
or
just for minor menopausal symptoms
e.9., vaginal dryness,
hot
flushes
or
mood
changes.
Alternatives
for
prevent-
ing heart diseases are preferred. Even
for
those solely
at
high risk
of
osteoporosis, alternatives
seem
a
better option.
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