Women on HRT advised to consult doctors

Women undertaking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) should consult with their doctors to see whether they should continue the medication in the wake of health fears, the Family Planning Association (FPA) said today.

Combination HRT, a mixture of oestrogen and progestogen, is taken by women who have not had a hysterectomy to alleviate the symptoms of menopause.

The treatment is also used to help prevent osteoporosis.

The risks associated with combination HRT were highlighted in a study by the United States Women's Health Initiative, funded by a manufacturer of combination HRT treatments, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

It found older women without menopausal symptoms taking combined HRT were at greater risk of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease and stroke.

FPA clinical spokesperson Christine Roke said the risks found in the study were referred to in New Zealand standards but if women had concerns they should contact their health professional.

The Health Ministry said it had already taken action to counter an increased risk of breast cancer or heart disease among women as a result of combination HRT.

In a statement, ministry spokesman Bob Boyd said: "Guidelines for prescribing HRT, first written in 1993, were revised last year by the New Zealand Guidelines Group on the suggestion of women's health campaigner Sandra Coney and others."

Dr Boyd said the updated guidelines had been sent to all prescribers and had been publicised in the ministry's regulatory body Medsafe's quarterly Prescriber Update.

Women currently taking HRT who had concerns should continue taking the medication and discuss it with their health professional, Dr Boyd said.

"The risks and benefits will vary for each woman and should be weighed up on an individual basis."

"The revised guidelines made it clear that, contrary to some earlier claims, HRT did not have a role in the prevention of heart disease. They also reinforced the message that longer-term use might be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer diagnosis."

- NZPA

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