Hormone Replacement
Therapy (HRT) Research
Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) is approved to treat hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and to prevent osteoporosis.
- Heart, bone, breast studies
- Each study cited
- Books and further reading
Currently this treatment is not promoted as a treatment to prevent heart disease, cancer, or as an anti-aging strategy. However, research exists that suggests hormonal replacement, when done safely and with human identical forms, might provide health benefits outside of controlling symptoms of PMS, menopause, or andropause.
Everyone wants to know, however, is HRT safe? Are the risks the same as with synthetic hormonal therapy?
Read below to learn more about what the research is saying at this point:
HRT and Heart Health
Bioidentical progesterone might increase “good cholesterol” or HDL levels, whereas synthetic progestins might cause a decrease in “good cholesterol”
Saarikoski et.al.1990/Fahraeus et.al. 1983/ Ottosson et.al 1985Natural progesterone was found to enhance the effect of estrogen on exercise induced heart muscle damage in post-menopausal women with coronary artery disease
Rosano et.al. 2000Estradiol and progesterone or MPA protects again coronary spasm, improving vascular function in rhesus monkeys
Minshall et.al. 1998Women with severe hot flashes have a higher risk for heart disease
Franco et.al. 2015
HRT and Osteoporosis
Transdermal estradiol was reported to improve bone mineral density and reduce further fractures in post-menopausal women with osteoporosis
Lufkin et.al. 2009Estrogen-treated patients whose therapy started within 3 years of menopause showed improvement or no increase in osteoporosis
Nachtigall et.al. 1979Continuous low-dose HRT combined with adequate calcium and vitamin D was reported to provide a bone-sparing effect at least similar to that provided by other, higher-dose HRT regimens in elderly women
Recker et.al. 1999
HRT and Breast Cancer
Combination estrogen and progesterone was not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in the study population, compared with synthetic estrogen alone.
Fournier et.al. 2008Risk for breast cancer was significantly increased if synthetic progestins were used, but not if progesterone was used
Fournier et.al. 2005Compared to placebo, increased breast tissue growth was seen with estrogen and MPA, but not with the combination of estrogen and progesterone
Wood et.al. 2007One study reported 10 times as many deaths in a low progesterone group compared to a group with normal levels
Cowan et.al. 1981Progesterone level was inversely associated with breast cancer risk for highest versus lowest tertitle
Micheli et.al. 2004Progesterone reduced estradiol induced breast cell proliferation in vivo
Foidart et.al. 1998Transdermal hormones were not associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism in the study population. Synthetic oral forms were associated with a 4 fold increase in the risk of thromboembolism
Canonico et.al. 2007Data does not show an increased risk of cancer recurrence among women currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer or those with a personal history of breast cancer who use vaginal estrogen to relieve urogenital symptoms
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee March 2016Topical estrogen does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of recurrence of breast cancer
Dew et.al. 2009
HRT Overall Safety
Physiological data and clinical outcomes suggest that human identical hormones may be associated with lower risks, including risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to delineate the differences more clearly: Holtorf et.al 2015
Outcomes vary by individual; discuss your own risks with your practitioner.
Books & Resources:
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