Hormone Replacement Therapy? How To Increase Your Stroke Risk
Monday
Aug 18, 2008
Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT is an option that many women consider when dealing with the signs and symptoms of menopause.
For some, the decision is based on the degree of “miserableness” the effects of menopause is having on them. Hot flashes and night sweats seem to be the most uncomfortable demon in the mix and many reach a point of no return in getting relief from these symptoms.
A new hormone replacement therapy drug has emerged lately to provide women the relief they are seeking. Now available in over 90 countries, the drug Tibolone manufactured by Organan, a subsidiary of Schering-Plough of Kenilworth, NJ. The drug has not been approved for use in the U.S.due to the risks of stroke.
The drug is a synthetic that behaves like estrogen and progesterone in relieving the symptoms of menopause.
A new study just release Aug. 14th in the New England Journal of Medicine warns of an increased risk of stroke associated with the use of Tibolone.
Dr. Steven Cummings, of the California Pacific Medical Research Institute in San Fransisco conducted the study involving 4,538 post menopausal women giving them a 1.25 milligram dose of Tibolone over a 34 months period. The study found that the risk of stroke was 2.2 times greater in the women taking the drug over placebo.
Although the study did find a decrease in bone fracture and a reduced risk of colon and breast cancer, the study was halted because of the increased risk of stroke.
“It will not be available in the U.S. because the company is not asking the U.S. FDA to approve it” Dr. Cummings was quoted as saying in the report.
The stroke warning was specifically targeted at women 60 years of age or older and were cautioned to either stop taking the drug or not consider starting treatment with it altogether.
Dr. Cummings also stated that tibolone may be a good choice for the relief of menopausal symptoms in younger women.
Most prior studies concerning HRT with estrogen determined increases in the risk of stroke no matter what age the women were when taking the hormones.
The bottom line? The risks associated with tibolone are apparent and in reality all drugs being used to treat the signs and symptoms of menopause have their negative and positive effects.
The goal of any drug manufacturer is to discover therapeutics that do not present any potentially harmful side effects. Until then the degree of risk is certainly different for every woman and a complete physical check up and discussion with your doctor is necessary to determine which treatment is best for you.
Many women may want to consider a more natural approach in controlling the symptoms of menopause with herbal treatments (Have you tried our Menozac Free Trial!) that show promising results when taken early on and taken on a consistent basis. Depending on how severe your symptoms are this may be a very good approach in getting relief at least to a tolerable level without all the potential side effects inherent with HRT.
Again, this is something you should consider consulting with your physician with if your symptoms are severe and getting the best of you. Having a health diet and getting adequate exercise is also very important and starting a natural treatment program incorporating all three of these things may be the solution you are looking for.
Could Your Hormones Be “Out Of Tune“?
