May 21, 2008

scientists comment on the increased risk of blood clots from HRT pills compared to patches

French scientists have discovered evidence that oral HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) pills may increase the risk of blood clots in menopausal women, although patches have been deemed safe.

Prof Valerie Beral, Professor of Epidemiology, University of Oxford, said:

“This is a thorough review of the evidence of the use of HRT and the risk of thrombosis. The review and its conclusions are similar to those reached by the government’s regulatory body (www.mhra.gov.uk).
The conclusions are that there is an increased risk of thrombosis whilst women take HRT. This increased risk goes away when women stop taking HRT. It’s possible that the use of HRT patches carries less of a risk than oral HRT, but as the authors themselves say, this needs to be confirmed with more research.”

Dr David Sturdee, President of the International Menopause Society, said:

“Earlier this week the International Menopause Society (IMS) released the findings of an expert group on the benefits and risks of hormone therapy (HT) in the early postmenopausal period (see www.imsociety.org).The IMS expert group concluded that the only remaining risk of HT in the age group 50-59 years was that of a thromboembolic event – a blood clot. The BMJ publication publication confirms present knowledge, including the likelihood that the risk only applies to oral HT and that transdermal HT may eliminate the risk of a blood clot. However, although this is raised in hormone users when compared to non-users, the absolute risk is indeed very small as blood clots do not often occur in this age group in healthy women on no treatment. As we indicated in our statement, this very slightly increased risk of a blood clot should not discourage healthy women from using HT if it is needed.”