Does hormone replacement therapy benefit post-menopausal women? – a scoping review

Post-menopausal women experience symptoms such as irregular periods, lower fertility, vaginal dryness, hot flashes and night sweats. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) relieves menopausal symptoms. The aim of this review was to assess the benefits and risks of HRT in post-menopausal women. A scoping review was conducted for original peer-reviewed English language papers using the electronic databases of PUBMED, JAMA, BMC and TRIP. The papers were subjected to a three-stage screening process. The type of study, year of study, age, participants, type of therapy and the aim of the study defined the inclusion and exclusion criteria. HRT was associated with reduced risk and prevalence of end-stage kidney disease, gastric esophageal reflex disease (GORD) symptoms, periodontal disease and associated with the increased risk of overall cancers. The benefits of HRT depend on the duration of therapy, formulation, route of administration, time of initiating therapy (age <60 years) and type of therapy. Post-menopausal symptomatic women mostly benefited with hormone replacement therapy. To reduce risks of adverse events, HRT should be initiated with appropriate monitoring.

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Comparing the Effects of Estrogen and an Herbal Medicine on Peripheral Blood Flow in Post-menopausal Women with Hot Flashes: Hormone Replacement Therapy and Gui-Zhi-Fu-Ling-Wan, a Kampo Medicine

The American Journal of Chinese Medicine ◽

10.1142/s0192415x05002813 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 33 (02) ◽

pp. 259-267 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Takahisa Ushiroyama ◽

Atsushi Ikeda ◽

Kou Sakuma ◽

Minoru Ueki

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Hormone Replacement Therapy ◽

Replacement Therapy ◽

Hormone Replacement ◽

Hot Flashes ◽

Upper Body ◽

Peripheral Blood Flow ◽

Herbal Therapy ◽

Menopausal Women ◽

Post Menopausal

We investigated the association between blood flow in the extremities and hot flashes, and compared change in blood flow following hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and Gui-zhi-fu-ling-wan (Keishi-bukuryo-gan), a herbal therapy in post-menopausal women with hot flashes. Three hundred and fifty-two post-menopausal women aged 46–58 years (mean: 53.4±3.6 years) with climacteric complaints participated in the study. One hundred and thirty-one patients with hot flashes were treated with HRT (64 cases) or herbal therapy (67 cases). Blood flow was measured with laser doppler fluxmetry under the jaw, in the middle finger and in the third toe. Post-menopausal women with hot flashes (129 cases) showed significantly higher blood flow under the jaw (13.6±4.13) than women without hot flashes (166 cases) (5.48±0.84) ( p <0.0001). Blood flow at this site decreased significantly with either therapy ( p <0.0001). On the other hand, the administration of Gui-zhi-fu-ling-wan significantly increased ( p =0.002) the blood flow in the lower extremities, whereas HRT decreased the blood flow. Thus, we have demonstrated that Gui-zhi-fu-ling-wan did not affect the activity of vasodilator neuropeptides on sensory neurons of systemic peripheral vessels uniformly. Therefore, Gui-zhi-fu-ling-wan, rather than HRT, is suggested as an appropriate therapy for treatment of hot flashes in the face and upper body with concomitant coldness in the lower body, which is one of the symptoms of menopause.

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The effect of hormone replacement therapy and route of administration on selected cardiovascular risk factors in post-menopausal women

Family Practice ◽

10.1093/fampra/17.6.497 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 17 (6) ◽

pp. 497-507 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

M. Seed

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Hormone Replacement Therapy ◽

Cardiovascular Risk Factors ◽

Replacement Therapy ◽

Hormone Replacement ◽

Route Of Administration ◽

Menopausal Women ◽

Post Menopausal

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Does hormone replacement therapy in post-menopausal women have any effect upon nasal physiology?

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215107001612 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 122 (7) ◽

pp. 707-710 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

D C Wild ◽

C M Philpott ◽

C R Wolstenholme ◽

G E Murty

Keyword(s):

Hormone Replacement Therapy ◽

Replacement Therapy ◽

Hormone Replacement ◽

Oral Contraceptive Pill ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

Female Hormone ◽

Menopausal Women ◽

Nasal Physiology ◽

Post Menopausal ◽

Age Range

AbstractBackground:Previous studies have suggested that the female menstrual cycle, pregnancy and the oral contraceptive pill have an effect upon nasal physiology.Objectives:This study aimed to assess the effects upon nasal physiology of female hormone replacement therapy in post-menopausal women. This has not been previously studied.Methods:Twenty post-menopausal women (age range 36 to 70 years; mean age 57.0 years) underwent measurements of the nasal airway, including anterior rhinoscopy, peak nasal inspiratory flow rate, acoustic rhinometry, anterior rhinomanometry, mucociliary clearance time and rhinitis quality of life questionnaire. Measurements of nasal patency were recorded prior to commencing hormone replacement therapy and at a time point 77–195 days (mean 101.9 days) following commencement.Results:There was no statistical difference found for any of the variables, using the paired t-test (p > 0.05 for all).Conclusions:Female hormone replacement therapy has no discernable effect upon nasal physiology and should not be considered a cause of rhinitic symptoms.

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