NEW STUDY! Hormone Risk vs Fracture Risk

In this video, Dr. Doug Lucas reviews a study that was released on the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for bone health. The study is a 20-year follow-up of the Women's Health Initiative, which enrolled over 161,000 postmenopausal women. The study had two hormone trials: a combined therapy of estrogen and synthetic progesterone, and an estrogen-only therapy for women who had a hysterectomy. The combined therapy showed increased risks of blood clots, stroke, and invasive breast cancer, but also a reduction in hip fractures. The estrogen-only therapy showed a reduction in coronary heart disease, heart attacks, and breast cancer incidence. However, the reduction in hip fractures did not persist over the long term. The study also found no significant difference in risk based on age. The findings suggest that estrogen therapy can be beneficial for bone health, but should be part of a comprehensive approach and individualized based on risk factors.