The results of a new study have been released and making headlines nation wide; the overall risks from hormone drugs, taken by some 6 million American women, substantially exceed their benefits.

            The women’s health initiative, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, concluded that combined Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) with estrogen and progestin increased the risk of breast cancer, stroke and heart disease.

            16,608 post-menopausal women, between the ages 50 and 79, participated in the study, Nearly 50% of the women were given Prempro, a combination of Estrogen and Progestin, in one daily tablet; the remaining were given a placebo.

            The study, which was supposed to continue for an eight-year period, was stopped suddenly after only five years- as it was unethical to continue giving the hormones to the women, given the risk involved.

            Results showed that combined HRT increased the risk of stroke by 41%, heart attacks by 39% and breast cancer by 26%.

            “Not only did this therapy not prevent heart disease, it actually increased the risk,” said Dr. Jacques Rossouw of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

            HRT, given to women to reduce hot flashes, mood swings and night sweats, is taken by 38% of post-menopausal women; some 70 million prescriptions are written each year.

            A letter issued by the federal government was sent to the 16,000 participants and their doctors, advising them to stop taking the drugs.

SOURCE:  Journal of American Medical Association, July 2002; www.msnbc.com, July 9, 2002.