A recent study published in the medical journal JAMA has found that hormone therapy for menopause symptoms is safe and beneficial, contrary to previous beliefs. The study, led by Dr. JoAnn Manson from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, concluded that the benefits of hormone therapy outweigh the risks, especially for women under the age of 60 experiencing hot flashes, night sweats, and other menopausal symptoms.

The research, based on two decades of data from the Women’s Health Initiative study, revealed that low-dose estrogen therapy is now considered safer and more effective. This finding challenges the previous concerns about hormone replacement therapy, particularly after the increased risks of breast cancer and stroke associated with Prempro, a combination of estrogen and progestin.

Dr. Manson emphasized the importance of reevaluating hormone therapy recommendations, as newer, lower-dose hormone options have proven to be safer. Dr. Lauren Streicher from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine also highlighted the evolution in hormone therapy, pointing out that past studies had flaws in the type of hormones used, leading to adverse effects.

With the advancements in hormone therapy and a better understanding of its risks and benefits, experts now advocate for a reconsideration of hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms. The shift towards safer hormone options and the reassessment of past studies have paved the way for a more positive outlook on hormone therapy as a treatment for menopause.