Some hormone replacement therapy tablets increase the risk of dangerous blood clots

Take care when taking hormone replacement therapy tablets

Researchers have now found that women who take certain types of hormone replacement therapy tablets are at higher risk for developing severe blood clots.

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have found in their current research that taking some types of hormone replacement therapy tablets in women may increase the risk of developing severe blood clots. The experts published the results of their study in the English-language journal "BMJ".

Sudden onset of hot flashes are often the result of hormonal fluctuations that occur most frequently during menopause. Certain medications can help here. (Picture: Picture-Factory / fotolia.com)

What types of tablets increased the risk?

It was found that tablets containing equine estrogens were associated with a slightly higher risk of blood clots compared to other tablets. Women should not panic immediately or stop taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) tablets. Instead, they should discuss all concerns at their next medical appointment, advise the doctors.

What is a hormone replacement therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy is used to alleviate the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats. Such a treatment comes in various forms, including tablets, gel, cream and patches. Basically, HRT is considered a good and safe treatment. But there is a small potential risk of certain serious health problems, such as blood clots and breast cancer. Researchers at the University of Nottingham explained that the increased risk of taking HRT tablets was equivalent to nine additional cases of blood clots per 10,000 women per year.

Data from 470,000 women were evaluated for the study

The study looked at prescriptions from 80,000 women aged 40 to 79 who had developed blood clots. Then the physicians compared the data with the records of 390,000 women without blood clots. When treated with tablets, the risk was found to be different for two types of estrogens used. The risk of blood clots was 15 percent higher in treatments containing estrogen made from horse urine compared to synthetic estradiol. This was true for both single and combined hormone treatments. There was no increased risk in women using gel, patch or cream for hormone replacement therapy. The study found that these are the safest types of hormone replacement therapy, yet only 20 percent of women prescribe this type of therapy, the experts report.

Which women should refrain from oral treatments?

The study has shown that different tablets are associated with different risk of developing blood clots in oral treatments - depending on the active ingredients, study author Dr. Yana Vinogradova from the University of Nottingham. It has also been shown that the risk of thrombosis is very low for patients who use HRT treatments other than tablets (patches or gel). The findings are particularly important information for women in need of HRT treatment who are already at an increased risk of developing a blood clot. Vinogradova. (As)