Hormone Replacement Therapy News
" Benefits of HRT Alternatives"
May 3, 2006
A recent medical study provides information and insight about the effectiveness of HRT alternatives.
Non-hormonal treatments, such as some antidepressants and blood pressure medicines, can provide some relief for hot flashes, but are not as effective as estrogen therapy and also carry risks, researchers found. The results of their study are published in the 3 May 2006 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association
The authors of this study say the best treatment for mild to moderate menopausal symptoms may be no treatment at all. For many women, avoiding the triggers of hot flashes is the safest and most effective way to treat this menopausal symptom.
However, for women who need relief from the often debilitating symptoms of menopause, researchers set out to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HRT alternatives.
Interest in HRT alternatives is prompted largely from the results of the Women’s Health Initiative, a study that found serious risks associated with hormone replacement therapy. Ever since the risks of HRT were revealed people have been searching for safer alternatives.
Here is what the researchers of this most recent study concluded:
- Antidepressants: The SSRI drug Paxil appeared to reduce hot flashes by one a day.
- Blood pressure drug: The blood pressure drug clonidine (sold as Catapres) also reduced hot flashes by about one a day.
- Seizure drug: Gabapentin (sold as Neurontin) was found to reduce hot flashes by about two a day.
- Red Clover isoflavone extract: this treatment did not show a clear benefit in the relief of hot flashes.
- Soy isoflavones: According to the study, the results on soy isoflavones appear mixed.
- Hormone replacement therapy: hot flashes could be reduced by two to three a day.
The benefits of reducing hot flashes depend, however, on the frequency of a woman’s hot flash episodes. Some medical professionals recommend that women who suffer daily debilitating hot flashes should consider taking the lowest dose of HRT possible for a very short time. This caution is due to the risks of HRT.
Most non-hormonal treatments also carry risks. For example, Paxil can cause sexual problems, insomnia, anxiety, and headaches. Neurontin has been linked to cases of emotional problems, suicide, and other adverse effects.
If you are not a good candidate for HRT or don’t wish to take this medication, you may wish to speak with your doctor about the alternatives. Your health care provider can go over the risks of HRT and other treatments with you to determine the best approach at treating your menopausal symptoms.
For more information on Hormone Replacement Therapy contact
us to confer with a lawyer.
More Hormone Replacement Therapy News...
Wyeth Sued Over Prempro Once Again
Studies Support Isoflavones for Hot Flushes
Rate of Breast Cancer Drops With Decline in HRT Use
New Study Differentiates Characteristics of Cancer in HRT Users
Is Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Safe?
Jury Rules Prempro Caused Breast Cancer In HRT Trial
Study: Hormone Replacement Therapy Raises Ovarian Cancer Risk
If you are currently taking hormone replacement therapy,
the combination of estrogen and progestin, you are advised
to contact your doctor IMMEDIATELY
for hormone replacement therapy alternatives.
For more information on hormone replacement therapy alternatives
and your legal rights, please
contact a hormone replacement therapy lawyer.
Hormone Replacement Therapy Side Effects News-
Top of Page |
