Study hormone replacement therapies during menopause can cause hearing loss

Hormone replacement therapy causes hearing problems in women
If menopausal women take so-called hormone replacement therapy, it may cause problems with their hearing. Researchers found that hormone replacement therapy can make women more likely to suffer from hearing loss.

The researchers at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital found that when women undergo hormone replacement therapy (HET) during their menopause, the risk of hearing loss is massively increased. The experts published the results of their study in the journal "Menopause".

A new study found that women who take certain analgesics over an extended period of time have an increased risk of hearing loss. (Picture: Picture-Factory / fotolia.com)

Effects of hormone replacement therapy on the hearing of women
If women take hormone replacement therapy for a decade, the probability of hearing loss increases by 15 to 21 percent, explain the Medinziner. Actually, it was previously thought that taking the pills for years in the menopause leads to a slower age-related deafness. However, the experts now found that the exact opposite is true.

What are the causes of hearing loss due to hormone replacement therapy??
The risk of hearing loss increases after five years of taking hormone pills by about 15 percent, say the doctors. Although the exact cause is still unknown, the increase in hormones through hormone replacement therapy may interfere with the sound-absorbing hair cells of the ear and the brain-routing tissue. In addition, the blood flow to the ears could be affected, the scientists speculate.

Physicians are studying just under 81,000 women for their study
For their study, researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston investigated self-reported hearing loss among 80,792 postmenopausal women. Hearing loss affects people's communication, social well-being, health and quality of life, explains author Dr. Sharon Curhan.

Benefits of hormone replacement therapy?
For many women, for example, hormone therapy helps to cope with hot flashes and night sweats. In addition, the treatment should improve the sleep and quality of life of those affected, says Dr. med. Curhan. But the author added that the use of such hormone therapy is associated with a higher risk of hearing loss. The risk increases with use with the duration of use.

Women are worse off during the menstrual cycle
It is well known that estrogen can affect hearing. Young women actually hear worse during their menstrual cycle. This is due to the very low level of the hormone at this time, the authors explain. Previous studies suggested that menopause could increase the risk of female deafness. This led experts to suggest that hormone replacement therapy could help to prevent this effect.

How does a longer hormone replacement therapy affect you??
Compared to those women who have never used any type of hormone replacement therapy, taking the tablets over a five to nine year period increased the risk of hearing loss by 15 percent. If the women took the pills for a decade or more, the likelihood increased to 21 percent. This could be due to prolonged exposure to estrogen and progestin during their lifetimes, the scientists explain.

Hormone replacement therapy protects against heart disease
A study last month found that hormone replacement therapy seems to protect against heart disease. This is probably due to the fact that the estrogen prevents blockages and stiffening of the arteries, explain the researchers. The views on whether hormone replacement therapy increases the risk of cancer vary among different experts, the authors add. (As)