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Laing A, Thomas L, Hillard T, Panay N, Briggs P. Exploring the potential for a set of UK hormone replacement therapy eligibility guidelines: A suggested proposal on the topic of venous thromboembolism. Post Reprod Health 2024; 30:39-54. [PMID: 38149845 DOI: 10.1177/20533691231223682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the feasibility for a set of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) eligibility guidelines that follow a similar structure and appearance to the UKMEC guidance for contraception. To enable non-specialists to feel confident in safely prescribing HRT and to aid selection of the most appropriate first line treatment. METHODS A literature review was undertaken with evidence summarised on the topic of venous thromboembolism (VTE) which is an area frequently considered a barrier to prescribing. Medical eligibility tables which separated HRT by type were then produced for a set of VTE-related topics. RESULTS The literature search confirmed the importance of distinguishing between different types and routes of administration when considering the suitability of HRT. Much of the evidence has been based on older synthetic types of HRT and whilst they still have a role in management, these medications carry different risks to the now more accepted use of body identical types. The search also highlighted the nuances involved, increasing the complexity of forming guidelines, with the need for consideration to be given to an individual's own perception of risks and benefits. CONCLUSION The demand for HRT has risen in recent years and there is a need for this to be managed effectively, particularly for patients in primary care. The production of this type of guidance will enable the non-specialist to feel confident in safe and evidence-based prescribing. The guidelines are also designed to demonstrate to prescribers which complex patients should be referred onto menopause specialists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbie Laing
- Poole Menopause Centre University Hospitals Dorset, Poole, UK
| | - Lindsey Thomas
- Leeds Menopause Service, Meanwood Health Centre, Leeds, UK
| | - Tim Hillard
- Poole Menopause Centre University Hospitals Dorset, Poole, UK
| | - Nick Panay
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, UK
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Bontempo S, Yeganeh L, Giri R, Vincent AJ. Use of MHT in women with cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Climacteric 2024; 27:93-103. [PMID: 37933495 DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2023.2273524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
This systematic review assesses the effect of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) on cardiovascular outcomes and risk factors in postmenopausal women with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to December 2022 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies using methodology from a previous Cochrane review. Quality assessment used the Cochrane risk of bias tool and Newcastle-Ottawa scale, respectively. From 5647 studies identified, 29 (23 RCTs and six observational studies) were included. Most studies were conducted in North America or Europe and investigated oral estrogens. Participants were older with varying frequency of cardiac risk factors and underlying CVD. No significant difference was observed between MHT users and controls regarding primary outcomes of non-fatal myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death or stroke. No difference in frequency of angina, heart failure and transient ischemic attacks was observed. Inconsistent effects of MHT on angiographic progression were seen and varied with glycemic status. Estradiol had a positive effect on flow-mediated dilatation. Limited studies identified differing effects of MHT on cardiac risk factors, varying with estrogen preparation. This study confirms no benefit of MHT for secondary CVD prevention, highlighting evidence limitations and the importance of shared decision-making when managing menopausal symptoms in women with CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bontempo
- Department of Endocrinology, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - L Yeganeh
- Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - R Giri
- Department of Endocrinology, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - A J Vincent
- Department of Endocrinology, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Abstract
Most women worldwide experience menopausal symptoms during the menopause transition or postmenopause. Vasomotor symptoms are most pronounced during the first four to seven years but can persist for more than a decade, and genitourinary symptoms tend to be progressive. Although the hallmark symptoms are hot flashes, night sweats, disrupted sleep, and genitourinary discomfort, other common symptoms and conditions are mood fluctuations, cognitive changes, low sexual desire, bone loss, increase in abdominal fat, and adverse changes in metabolic health. These symptoms and signs can occur in any combination or sequence, and the link to menopause may even be elusive. Estrogen based hormonal therapies are the most effective treatments for many of the symptoms and, in the absence of contraindications to treatment, have a generally favorable benefit:risk ratio for women below age 60 and within 10 years of the onset of menopause. Non-hormonal treatment options are also available. Although a symptom driven treatment approach with individualized decision making can improve health and quality of life for midlife women, menopausal symptoms remain substantially undertreated by healthcare providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin R Duralde
- Division of Women's Health, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Talia H Sobel
- Division of Women's Health Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
| | - JoAnn E Manson
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Stute P, Marsden J, Salih N, Cagnacci A. Reappraising 21 years of the WHI study: Putting the findings in context for clinical practice. Maturitas 2023; 174:8-13. [PMID: 37209498 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2023.04.271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Menopausal hormone treatment (MHT) is recommended for the management of menopause symptoms. The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) placebo-controlled randomised study examined the effects of continuous combined or estrogen-only MHT on the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in post-menopausal women. The study was terminated prematurely after an interim analysis showed an increased risk of breast cancer diagnosis, which led to a rapid decrease in MHT use worldwide. Subsequently, limitations of the study design and its interpretation in the context of other clinical studies has contributed to a more nuanced appreciation of the risk-benefit profile of differing MHT regimens regarding risk associated with the class of progestogen prescribed, its pattern of prescription, duration of use and timing of initiation related to menopause onset. This review provides a contextual interpretation of the WHI placebo-controlled study and evaluates the impact of bioidentical MHT, with a focus on combined therapies containing micronised progesterone, on the risk of chronic NCDs in post-menopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Stute
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Bern, Friedbühlstrasse 19, 3010 Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Jo Marsden
- President, The British Association of Day Surgery, 35-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3PE, UK; Consultant Breast Surgeon (retired); King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; British Menopause Society Medical Advisory Council (2003-2009 and 2015-2021), UK
| | - Noor Salih
- Theramex, Sloane Square House, 1 Holbein Place, London SW1W 8NS, UK.
| | - Angelo Cagnacci
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, San Martino Hospital, Genova, Italy; President of the Italian Society for the Menopause; Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132, Genova, Italy.
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Panay N, Nappi RE, Stute P, Palacios S, Paszkowski T, Kagan R, Archer DF, Héroux J, Boolell M. Oral estradiol/micronized progesterone may be associated with lower risk of venous thromboembolism compared with conjugated equine estrogens/medroxyprogesterone acetate in real-world practice. Maturitas 2023; 172:23-31. [PMID: 37084589 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2023.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The Women's Health Initiative study reported an increased risk of venous thromboembolism among menopausal women treated with conjugated equine estrogens/medroxyprogesterone acetate (CEE/MPA) versus placebo. Newer hormone therapies may have a lower venous thromboembolism risk. The study compared the risk of venous thromboembolism between women treated with the combined oral product 17β-estradiol/micronized progesterone (E2/P4) and those treated with oral CEE/MPA regimens. STUDY DESIGN In a retrospective longitudinal study using real-world claims data from April 2019 to June 2021, women aged 40 years or more treated with oral E2/P4 or oral CEE/MPA who did not have a venous thromboembolism diagnosis before first dispensing claim of CEE/MPA or E2/P4 identified on or after May 1st 2019 (index date) were observed for 6 months or more after the index date. Oral E2/P4 and oral CEE/MPA had been prescribed by the treating physician in real-world practice and were observed through pharmacy dispensing records. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Venous thromboembolism risk was compared between women receiving oral E2/P4 versus oral CEE/MPA. RESULTS The study included 36,061 women treated with oral E2/P4 or oral CEE/MPA. In the analyses weighted by the inverse probability of treatment for control of potential confounding factors, the incidence of venous thromboembolism was significantly lower for oral E2/P4 compared with oral CEE/MPA (37/10,000 women-years for oral E2/P4 vs 53/10,000 women-years for oral CEE/MPA; incidence rate ratio 0.70, 95 % confidence interval: 0.53-0.92). CONCLUSIONS Real-world evidence suggests that the risk of venous thromboembolism is significantly lower among women treated with oral E2/P4 compared with oral CEE/MPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Panay
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, The Bays, S Wharf Rd, London W2 1NY, United Kingdom; Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust, 369 Fulham Road, 116, London SW10 9NH, United Kingdom; Queen Charlotte's & Chelsea Hospital, Du Cane Rd, London W12 0HS, United Kingdom
| | - Rossella E Nappi
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Gynecological Endocrinology and Menopause, IRCCS San Matteo Foundation, Piazzale Golgi 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Petra Stute
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inselspital, University Clinic Bern, Friedbühlstr. 19, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Santiago Palacios
- Palacios Institute of Women's Health and Medicine, Calle Antonio Acuña, 9, Madrid 28009, Spain
| | - Tomasz Paszkowski
- III Chair and Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 8 Jaczewskiego St., 20-954 Lublin, Poland
| | - Risa Kagan
- Sutter East Bay Medical Group, Affiliated with Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, UCSF, 2500 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - David F Archer
- Clinical Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 601 Colley Avenue, Suite 241, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Julie Héroux
- Heroux Consulting, Vrouwe Meilendislaan 14, Den Haag 2553EX, Netherlands
| | - Mitra Boolell
- Theramex HQ UK Ltd., Sloane Square House, 1 Holbein Place, London SW1W 8NS, United Kingdom.
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Morris G, Talaulikar V. Hormone replacement therapy in women with history of thrombosis or a thrombophilia. Post Reprod Health 2023; 29:33-41. [PMID: 36573625 DOI: 10.1177/20533691221148036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Findings from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) randomised placebo-controlled trial (RCT) were published at the beginning of this century. They suggested that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use increased the risk of cardiovascular disease and venous thromboembolism including pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis The findings led to a decline in HRT prescriptions and negative publicity about the use of HRT for women with significant menopausal symptoms. Subsequent studies have shown that the risk of thrombosis with HRT relates to whether estrogen is combined with a progestogen and the route of administration of estrogen. In healthy women with no background medical problems, transdermal hormone replacement is not associated with an increased risk of thrombosis. However, much less is known about the safety of various HRT preparations in women with a high background risk of thrombosis. These cases can often be challenging for clinicians with uncertainties around testing for thrombophilia, use of anticoagulation and striking a balance between the risks and benefits of prescribing HRT. This article will review the mechanism of thrombosis with differing types of HRT and present the evidence from the relevant trials. The article will also present the evidence that specifically relates to women with a personal history of thrombosis or thrombophilia (heritable and acquired) to enable clinicians to better individualise the risk assessment for each woman requesting HRT and understand the role of thrombophilia screening or concomitant anticoagulation in such situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Morris
- Subspecialty Trainee in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, St Michael's Hospital, 1984University Hospitals Bristol, and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Vikram Talaulikar
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, EGA Wing, 8964University College London Hospital, London, UK
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