How Safe Is Hormone Therapy in Healthy, Recently Menopausal Women?

Although long-term data from Denmark seem reassuring, study's methodological drawbacks limit its clinical relevance.

The efficacy of hormone therapy (HT) in managing menopausal symptoms is unquestioned, but controversy about its safety continues. Between 1990 and 1993, investigators for the Danish Osteoporosis Prevention Study randomized 1006 healthy, recently menopausal women (mean age, 49.7), including 196 women who had undergone hysterectomies, to open-label HT or no treatment. In the treatment group, all women received oral estradiol (1–2 mg daily); women with a uterus also received norethindrone acetate (1 mg daily for 10 days each month). After publication of the Women's Health Initiative HT trial findings in August 2002, participants were advised to stop HT.

After a mean treatment duration of 10 years, the hazard ratio in the HT group for a composit…

Reviewing Author

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

How Safe Is Hormone Therapy in Healthy, Recently Menopausal Women?

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Reviewing Author