Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Use HRT for Hot Flash Symptoms, Not for Maintaining Health Long Term

Hormone replacement therapy is not helpful for keeping women healthy. That’s the conclusion from a long-term follow-up study of two groups participating in the Women’s Health Initiative.

For decades, women were encouraged to take HRT on the grounds that it would prevent osteoporosis, heart disease and dementia. This gold-standard randomized controlled trial demonstrated that exposure to Prempro, a combination of estrogens and synthetic progestin, actually increased the risk for heart disease, stroke, breast cancer, pulmonary embolism, gallbladder disease, dementia and urinary incontinence. Premarin alone increased the risk for stroke and blood clots in veins.

After 13 years, the investigators found that neither HRT regimen helped women survive longer. The scientists suggest that hormone replacement therapy be used only for limited periods of time to ease symptoms of menopause like hot flashes and night sweats.

[JAMA, Oct. 2, 2013]

Although it was written before the latest research from the Women’s Health Initiative, our book Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy has a great deal of information on non-pharmaceutical approaches to menopause symptoms as well as advice on warding off many chronic diseases. Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy was published by Rodale Books.

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
0- 0 ratings
About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.