HRT pills 'double blood clot risk'
HRT blood clot risk highlighted
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Friday, 23, May 2008 08:41
Women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) orally face double the risk of blood clots, research claims.
A study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) today by French and Scottish scientists says there is no such increased risk when HRT is taken in patch form, however.
It concludes women taking HRT orally faced a "significantly higher" risk after one year of treatment.
Those continuing to do so saw their risk of venous thromboembolism, a blood clot in the vein which can prove fatal, increase by two or even three times.
The researchers blame the increased risk on the oestrogen hormone's entry into the blood stream, through the digestive system. They suggest the liver may be affected, having a disturbing influence on the balance between clotting and anti-clotting.
A blood clot will only occur in an additional 11 cases per 10,000 healthy women in their 50s, the researchers note. They also point out the results should be taken with a level of caution, as they are based on observational studies rather than clinical trials.
HRT makes a real difference to the quality of life of post-menopausal women and, as the study notes, the health risks are far outweighed in most cases by its potential benefits.