Does Menopausal Hormone Therapy Prevent Loss of Muscle Mass?

Probably not: Analysis suggests minimal effect of HT in maintaining lean body mass.

Age-related loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) is an important predictor of impaired mobility. Because declining estrogen levels during the menopausal transition are associated with accelerated sarcopenia, menopausal hormone therapy (HT) has been proposed as a strategy to prevent this loss of lean body mass (LBM). Investigators identified 12 randomized trials of menopausal HT in which changes in LBM were assessed. Among 4474 participants, mean age was 58 and median follow-up was 2 years.

Loss of LBM in HT recipients was 0.06 kg less than that in nonrecipients This small between-group difference associated with HT was not statistically significant and not thought by the investigators to be clinically relevant for the average postmenopausal woma…

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

Does Menopausal Hormone Therapy Prevent Loss of Muscle Mass?

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Reviewing Author