Survey Finds Women Turning To Untested HRT Alternatives

Main Category: Menopause
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 21 Apr 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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HRT use is declining, but women still need relief from menopausal symptoms, and so are turning to untested 'alternative' hormone therapies.

This is the finding of a review of data carried out by Australian researchers using data from the South Australian Health Omnibus Study (HOS). The results are presented in the April edition of the peer-reviewed journal Climacteric.

The HOS is a regular survey of health-related issues in the Adelaide and South Australia district. The survey interviewed 953 women over the age of 40 (which included 688 women over the age of 50). Women were asked about various health-related issues, including HRT use. The main findings were:

- In 2004, 15.8% of women above the age of 50 were using HRT having fallen from 22% in year 2000. In 2004, use of 'alternative hormonal therapies' was rare.

- In 2008, conventional HRT use over age 50 had dropped further to 11.8%, but the number of women taking alternative untested hormonal therapies had risen to 4.0%

- Women wrongly identified alternative therapies such as 'bioidentical hormone therapies' as a safe hormonal alternative to conventional HRT.

Menopause specialists say the best and safest period to commence HRT is near the menopause. In 2008, 13.4% of women aged 50-59 years used HRT, compared with 7.7% in this age group who use unconventional, unregistered alternative hormones.

Researchers expressed concern over women turning to alternative therapies for relief of menopause symptoms that were unproven for safety and efficacy and unapproved by national therapeutic goods administrations.

Lead researcher, Professor Alastair MacLennan said:

Most objective observers would agree that the risks of HRT were overstated following the early results of part of the US Women's Health Initiative study in 2002. HRT is still the best way to treat debilitating menopausal symptoms for the vast majority of women. These scares have led to HRT use dropping, but for many women, the need for help through the menopause has not gone away, and so women are turning to those selling unproven and possibly dangerous alternatives.

Alternative practitioners are capitalising on women's fears by promoting bioidentical' hormones, and herbal remedies. "Bioidentical" hormones are untested for long-term safety and efficacy and no herbal medicine has a greater effect than the normal placebo effect on menopausal symptoms. It is important that women suffering from menopausal symptoms discuss evidence-based management with a qualified doctor before choosing treatment.

Commenting, Dr David Sturdee (President of the International Menopause Society) said:

It's extremely important that women receive the correct treatment, rather than try something which may have no effect or may even be harmful. I'd urge women to contact their doctor before starting any treatment for menopause symptoms.

Source
International Menopause Society