How Safe is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?

Date August 19, 2002

Subject Health Sciences Email Update – Hormone Replacement Therapy

On May 31, 2002, The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) stopped its 16,608 woman study after 5.2 years of monitoring. The study was aimed at investigating the long-term effects of estrogens and synthetic progestins on menopausal women. The goal of this study was to determine how well this combination of drugs prevented heart disease and hip fractures and to analyze its effects on breast and colon cancer.

Why did NIH stop this study?

The study was halted when researchers looking at preliminary data determined that the use of these drugs to combat symptoms of menopause caused an increased risk of invasive breast cancer. How much of an increase? Women who were taking this combination of drugs experienced a 26 percent increase in risk of developing breast cancer. NIH scientists determined that the increased risk of breast cancer was not offset by a lower incidence of hip fractures or any possible benefit to the heart from the drugs.

Is this new? No! NSP Managers have known for years about the risks of using estrogens and synthetic progestins to cope with menopausal symptoms. That is why they have recommended safe, natural products to help ease thousands of women through menopause.

In 2002, “The Year of The Woman,” NSP decided to focus on women’s health issues. We developed new products like Breast Assured specifically for women who have an increased concern with breast health. We developed Liquid Calcium for elderly women who need large amounts of readily absorbable calcium to help reduce their risk of osteoporosis by slowing bone loss, but who can’t swallow tablets or capsules. Other women’s products developed this year include Breast Enhance, Cramp Relief and Menstrual Reg.

Don’t think that NSP is the only company “in the know.” While we have known the benefits of natural products, like soy isoflavones and natural progesterone creams, the pharmaceutical industry has been trying to promote its own natural alternative versions to doctors and pharmacists. For example, GlaxoSmithKline has been rabidly marketing a product called RemiFemin, a standardized extract of black cohosh, to doctors who have patients that don’t want to take the HRT drugs.

Once again NSP Managers hold the trump card. Skilled herbalists know that not all women respond to black cohosh. NSP offers a wide variety of natural products to help women through the change of life. Black cohosh herb is available as a single, in combinations and as a timed-released tablet called Flash-Ease, which provides its benefits over a 12-hour period. NSP also offers isoflavones from Soy and Red Clover, Wild Yam with or without Chaste Tree (Vitex), Dong Quai and Pro-G-Yam Cream in 5 mg and 500 mg strengths. Vitamin E and flax seed oil are also strongly recommended for women during this change.

While conventional HRT aims to reduce heart disease and hip fractures, it increases the risk of cancers. But natural products like soy, flax seed and omega-3 fatty acids all have tomes of evidence suggesting that these products may help maintain cholesterol levels already within the normal range, reduce hot flashes, increase bone density and help offset some of the effects of endogenous estradiol. Flax and omega-3 fatty acids may also help maintain a positive mental outlook, and support joint health and mobility.

It was good news to hear that the medical community has dispelled the myth of the benefits of HRT and has taken steps to protect women. This is clearly a case where bad news is good news for women’s health.

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