Tag: HRT – Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone Replacement Therapy and Cardiovascular Outcomes by Race and Ethnicity: MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis)

March 24, 2026
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| Cardiovascular Health

Comment: This observational MESA study highlights the stark conflict between the idea that early HRT initiation saves lives and the more likely textbook manifestation of healthy user bias impacting outcomes of medical efficacy. Unfortunately the study does not have the data on the formulation used (oral, topical, vaginal), however given the time of intake (2000-2002), […]

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Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy and Risk of Stroke: Impact of the Route of Estrogen Administration and Type of Progestogen

February 9, 2026
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| Cardiovascular Health, Medications - General Pharmaceuticals, Miscellaneous

Comment: There is an assumption that specific routes of hormone therapy (MHT) offer a safe harbor from cardiovascular risk, yet this systematic review of over 5.5 million women identifies a profound disconnect between biochemical promise and systemic biological reality. While early initiation is frequently justified by observational data, we should recognize that these perceived benefits […]

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The risk of ovarian cancer in hormone replacement therapy users: a systematic review and meta-analysis

February 8, 2026
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| Cancer, Medications - General Pharmaceuticals

Comment: This article shows an increase in ovarian cancer risk with longer term use of HRT. Both estrogen alone and estrogen-progesterone showed an increase, and the association was stronger in the cohort studies than the case control studies, which are the more robust .   Cohort Studies: The 21 cohort studies showed a slightly higher risk. […]

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The route of administration, timing, duration and dose of postmenopausal hormone therapy and cardiovascular outcomes in women: a systematic review

February 8, 2026
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| Cardiovascular Health, Medications - General Pharmaceuticals

Comment: This systematic review of 33 studies and over 2.5 million women reveals a critical tension between biochemical plausibility and actual clinical outcomes, at least for oral dosing. While observational data suggests early initiation reduces coronary heart disease, we should recognize that some of these findings are likely compromised by Healthy User Bias—where healthier women […]

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New Horizons in Menopause, Menopausal Hormone Therapy, and Alzheimer’s Disease: Current Insights and Future Directions

December 13, 2025
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| Neurological & Cognitive Health

Comment: The argument for a ‘window of opportunity’—where MHT might actually be neuroprotective if timed correctly—is compelling. However I remain cautious about broadly applying this as I tend to always consider the risk side of the equation with synthetic medications.  The clinical management of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) prevention has long operated on the assumption that […]

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Menopausal hormone therapy and the female brain: Leveraging neuroimaging and prescription registry data from the UK Biobank cohort

December 11, 2025
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| Medications - General Pharmaceuticals, Neurological & Cognitive Health

Comment: While the finding that current MHT use is associated with concerning neuroimaging markers (accelerated Brain Age Gap, smaller hippocampus) compared to never-users warrants attention, there’s another important aspect – the lack of a statistically significant difference between specific formulations—namely oral versus non-oral (topical/vaginal) administration and estrogen-only versus combined HRT. It is becoming commonly accepted […]

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Hormonal Contraceptive Formulations and Breast Cancer Risk in Adolescents and Premenopausal Women

November 21, 2025
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| Cancer

Comment: This massive Swedish cohort study serves as a critical update for anyone managing contraception. While the absolute risk remains low—approximately 1 extra case per 7,752 users per year—the relative increase in breast cancer risk is substantial, driven largely by specific hormonal components.  The overall Hazard Ratio of 1.24 suggests a 24% increase in relative […]

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The benefits and risks of menopause hormone therapy for the cardiovascular system in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

October 15, 2025
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| Cardiovascular Health, Medications - General Pharmaceuticals

Comment: The traditional thinking is that estrogen provides a protective buffer for the aging cardiovascular system. However, this meta-analysis of 33 randomized controlled trials dismantles that assumption, identifying an 86% increased risk of venous thromboembolism and a 23% increased risk of stroke. We must stop viewing these hormones through the narrow lens of symptom suppression […]

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