To file under “First Do No Harm,” the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force issues guidelines stating that postmenopausal women should not be taking hormone replacement to ward off dementia, bone fractures or heart disease. Indeed, the data have shown that women on hormone replacement have an increased risk of dementia. They refrain from issuing the warning for women who are taking the hormones for night sweats, hot flashes or vaginal dryness, but there is an imminent report pending on that issue. I have to say, that in my own practice, I find that women are very fond of their hormone replacement drugs, and I bet they won’t be fazed by these findings and will continue to take them. Eating less meat and dairy help with hot flashes, as well as acupuncture treatment. And yin tonics are useful for the dryness. Just saying…
New analysis advises against hormone replacement
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Washington —
Women who are past menopause and healthy should not take hormone replacement therapy in hopes of warding off dementia, bone fractures or heart disease, says a new analysis by the government task force that weighs the risks and benefits of screening and other therapies to prevent illness…
The task force found limited evidence that hormones protect against bone fractures, and no evidence that they reduce the most probable threat – heart disease. It also found that for most menopausal women taking hormone therapy, the risk of developing dementia later in life actually rose a bit.
