More Evidence Backs the Hormone Therapy Timing Hypothesis

Recency of menopause shaped the relation between plasma estradiol levels and atherosclerotic plaque progression.

In 2016, the ELITE trial showed that oral estradiol (E2) administered to women <6 years after menopause slowed progression of subclinical atherosclerosis (indicated by carotid intima-media thickness), while having no effect in women who were ≥10 years postmenopause (NEJM JW Womens Health May 2016 and N Engl J Med 2016 374:1221). In this secondary analysis, ELITE investigators assessed the effect of plasma E2 levels on progression of subclinical atherosclerosis.

Among 596 participants (70% non-Hispanic white), plasma E2 levels were available in 248 early postmenopausal and 348 late postmenopausal women (mean age, 55 and 64, respectively). E2 levels were inversely associated with atherosclerosis progression in early postmenopausal women but po…

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

More Evidence Backs the Hormone Therapy Timing Hypothesis

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Reviewing Author