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Query: UMLS:C0038454 (stroke)
 147,016 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Migraine headaches appear to be linked to the menstrual cycle and the use of oral contraceptives (OCs). Migraine attacks occur during menses in 60% of women and appear to be related to the withdrawal of estrogen. The fluctuations in estrogen levels associated with migraine headaches produce biochemical changes in prostaglandin production, prolactin release, and opoid regulation. Treatment seeks to interrupt the pathophysiological sequence of menstrual-related migraine through the administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ergotamine, or, in refractory cases, hormonal agents. The frequency of migraine decreases with age, but tends either to regress or worsen during menopause. In some cases, estrogen replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms produces headache and it may be necessary to reduce the estrogen dose or change from conjugated estrogen to pure estradiol or estrone. The incidence and severity of migraines are also affected by OC use. OCs may trigger migraine episodes and exacerbate or alleviate pre-existing headache. This variable response seems to be a result of individual differences in intrinsic estrogen neuronal response. Although migraine itself may be a risk factor in stroke, there is no evidence that this risk is increased in migrainers who use OCs.
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PMID:Estrogens, progestins, and headache. 204 18

The goal of contemporary hormone replacement is to minimize net predictable lifetime risk; success therefore depends upon quantitative assessments of the net quality of life, of net morbidity and of net mortality. Estrogens ameliorate menopausal symptoms, maintain bone integrity, and produce endometrial cancer; these facts and their quantitative aspects can be stimulated. Other links are gradually becoming clear: estrogens increase biliary disease, but prevent heart disease, and, it now seems, stroke. Conventional wisdom to the contrary notwithstanding, a critical review suggests that breast cancer is probably increased in frequency by long-term estrogen use; the increase is modest as a risk factor but because breast cancer is a common disease, it is substantial in absolute terms. The addition of progestin seems attractive as a method of opposing undesirable estrogenic effects on the endometrium. In fact, there is reason for concern about the effect of an added progestin upon the risks from breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke; even the magnitude of the expected reduction in endometrial cancer may not be great when the hormone is administered sequentially. Using a simple deterministic model of post-menopausal life with hormone replacement, we have inserted available estimates of the regimen-specific relative risk for each outcome, and translated each net impact into common denominators of morbidity and mortality. While estrogens probably increase net morbidity, as measured by either the number of hospitalizations to be anticipated or by the more arbitrary measure of expected days of disability, these negative changes are mostly due to gallbladder disease and endometrial cancer, both largely treatable conditions. Largely because of protection against heart disease, estrogen replacement in modest dose is likely to reduce substantially the number of deaths to be expected in women treated through age 75 and even into more advanced age. Hormone replacement which includes systemic progestin supplementation has not been empirically tested; it may be beneficial, but it is at least as likely to be harmful. Either a modest increment in the number of additional breast cancers produced by estrogens, a modest reduction in the number of cardiac events prevented by estrogens, or a simultaneous minor shift in the same direction for each condition, would have the effect of shifting the net reduction in cumulative deaths into an increase in the number of deaths as a result of treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Risks and benefits of long-term treatment with estrogens. 269 47

Despite the benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in relieving menopausal symptoms, there continues to be anxiety about its use in women who also have hypertension. To examine clinical practice in relation to HRT, especially in patients with hypertension, and to canvass opinions on potential or perceived side-effects, the authors conducted a postal survey of HRT prescribing habits among 285 GPs, physicians and obstetricians in the West Midlands. The overall response rate to the questionnaire was 191 (66.3%): 61 clinicians reported that they would not prescribe HRT in women whose hypertension was difficult to control, but only 3 would withhold treatment if blood pressure was well controlled; 9% of physicians and 13% of gynaecologists did not routinely measure blood pressure before starting HRT or monitor BP at follow-up (24% and 10% respectively). A proportion of GPs (20%), physicians (21%) and gynaecologists (9%) reported that in their opinion HRT raised blood pressure, and a minority in each group considered that HRT increased the risk of venous thrombosis, stroke and myocardial infarction. This study demonstrates differences among GPs, physicians and gynaecologists in the use of HRT in menopausal women with hypertension, the authors suggest that, in view of data from studies of the effects of HRT on blood pressure and the possible reduction of cardiovascular disease, these clinicians can be reassured and hypertensive women need not be denied the benefits of HRT, as long as there is careful monitoring.
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PMID:Do clinicians prescribe HRT for hypertensive postmenopausal women? 777 44

The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) is sponsored by the NIH. The study focuses on risk and benefits of strategies that could potentially reduce the incidence of heart disease, breast and colon cancer, and fractures in postmenopausal women. One arm of the study, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, looking at the effects of continuous combined estrogen-progestin regimen was stopped prematurely based on health risks which exceeded health benefits. The main reason for this decision was the increase in risk of invasive breast cancer, as well as a slight increase in the rate of myocardial infarction and stroke. In this paper, we inform our colleagues of the detailed results of the study. We comment on its limitation and discuss the new original observations. Finally, we integrate the others to previous world literature data that are confirmed by the WHI study. It is important for the individual prescribing practitioner to issue practical conclusions and therapeutic recommendations. The department of Obstetrics and Gynaecologic of the University of Liege, in agreement with the European Menopause Society and the International Menopause Society, is convinced that there is no alternative to the hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms. We should stick to the traditional indications for hormones, namely vasomotor symptoms and osteoporosis. We should continue to recommend hormones for symptomatic women. One should realize that the risk for breast cancer appears only after several years of use, and the risk for cardiovascular events below age 60 is very small (the age of the patients was 63 at inclusion in the WHI study). We should encourage women to take the necessary measures for routine, periodic breast examinations (both manual, echographic and radiographic). Women who use HRT for more than 5 years should discuss the latest data of the WHI study with their physician, in order to consider their individual benefit-risk equation. Those who feel good on hormones and are fully satisfied with this treatment should learn of possible harm after long-term use. It is important to take into account the importance of quality of life. We should leave to the patient the final decision whether or not to continue the treatment. It is presently impossible to decide whether other estroprogestin associations, other administration routes and other molecules such as estradiol, natural progesterone or other progestins, SERMS and Tibolone could have an impact very different from that of the estroprogestin combination used in the WHI study. It is the duty of every physician to decide, from the complex epidemiological data obtained in the aged women (63-68 years) with a high cardiovascular risk in the WHI study, if it is possible or not in each individual case to recommend the initiation or pursue of an hormone replacement therapy.
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PMID:[Clinical study of the month. Benefit/risk balance of postmenopausal estrogen-progestin treatment in peril in the Women's Health Initiative study: practical attitude of the clinician]. 1240 30

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women. In pooled analysis, observational studies have shown a 50% reduction in death and myocardial infarction among users of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. The first randomized trial of HRT for secondary prevention of heart disease found no benefit to therapy (Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study ). Even after 6.8 years of follow-up, there was still no cardiovascular benefit from the use of HRT (HERS II). HRT was associated with a 50% increased risk of heart attacks within the first year as well as an increased risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) (relative risk 2.89) and gallbladder disease (RR 1.38). The Estrogen Replacement and Atherosclerosis trial found no evidence that HRT slowed the progression of subclinical angiographic disease either. This was despite a favorable effect on high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein. The first randomized trial of HRT for the primary prevention of heart disease found no overall benefit (Women's Health Initiative). The combination of estrogen and progestin resulted in a 29% increase in heart attacks, 41% increase in stroke, a doubling of thrombotic events (DVT and PE), as well as a 26% increase in breast cancer. The risk for thrombotic events was greatest in the first year whereas the risk of breast cancer increased progressively with duration of therapy. HRT is no longer recommended for the primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease or stroke. It may still be considered for short-term relief of menopausal symptoms in women without high-risk conditions, but alternatives exist.
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PMID:Hormone Replacement Therapy for Primary and Secondary Prevention of Heart Disease. 1268 16

The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial studying the effects of continuous combined estrogen-progestin regimen (CEE 0.625 mg plus 2.5 mg MPA daily), was stopped prematurely on the basis of a slight increase in the risk of invasive breast cancer, myocardial infarction and stroke. The study was not planned to examine other important aspects of HRT treatment, such as menopausal symptoms and quality of life, since the CEE only arm of the study was not terminated, it is possible that the specific drug tested in the study had different effects on outcome than other preparations available in the market. One should remember that many previous observational studies actually demonstrated cardiovascular benefits in women using other types or regimens of hormones. There seems to be a consensus on the interpretation of the WHI trial: 1) hormones are the best treatment for symptomatic women since there are no real alternatives; 2) women who use HRT for more than 5 years should discuss the latest data with their physician, in order to consider their individual risk-benefit equation; 3) it is logical to prefer hormones, which are different from CEE plus MPA daily.
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PMID:[Lessons from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) using hormone replacement therapy with regard to heart disease--the dream that has been broken?]. 1269 64

Millions of women are treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for relief of menopausal symptoms, including vasomotor flushes and sweats for which oestrogen is uniquely and highly effective. Others may continue longer-term treatment in the hope that HRT will help to prevent chronic disease. The preservation of bone mass with continuing oestrogen therapy and reduction of subsequent risk of fracture is well established. Observational studies of the metabolic and vascular effects of oestrogens have suggested a potential benefit in reducing the risk of vascular disease, but recently published randomized controlled trials demonstrate no evidence of benefit in women with established vascular disease or in apparently healthy women. The increased risks of breast cancer and thromboembolic disease have been confirmed in these trials, with evidence of increased risk of stroke. Observational data suggest there may be a small increased risk of ovarian cancer associated with longer-term use of HRT. The premature termination of one arm of the Women's Health Initiative randomized controlled trial caused concern among patients, doctors and pharmaceutical companies. There are difficulties in extrapolating the results from trials using a specific HRT product to advise women on the wide range of other hormone products, doses, combinations and routes of administration. However, in the absence of evidence that other products are safer, the data suggest that for many women the risks associated with long-term use of HRT outweigh the benefits. There are nonhormonal strategies for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. HRT is not, and has never been, licensed in the UK for the prevention or treatment of vascular disease, and the data suggesting potential benefit should now be regarded as biased. The absolute incidence of an adverse event is low, and the risk in an individual woman in a single year is very small, but the risks are cumulative over time with long-term use. The risk-benefit balance of each woman needs regular reappraisal with continued use.
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PMID:Recent concerns surrounding HRT. 1286 90

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is frequently prescribed to healthy women to ameliorate menopausal symptoms. HRT is used long term (> or = 1 year) to prevent chronic disease in older women. The objective of this study was to review the benefits and risks of HRT and studies of menopause or HRT in Taiwan via a MEDLINE search. Recommendations are provided for future HRT research in Taiwan. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials are considered the gold standard of scientific evidence. A MEDLINE literature search (January 1966-July 2002) identified 23 papers on trials (> or = 1 year) that met the inclusion criteria. The results showed that various HRT regimens used for more than 1 year caused more harm than good in healthy menopausal women and that there was no benefit for women with coronary artery disease, Alzheimer's disease, hysterectomy, hysterosalpingo-oophorectomy, and ischemic stroke. None of this research was conducted in Taiwan. A MEDLINE search using the key words "estrogen replacement therapy and menopause in Taiwan" identified 16 studies. There was only one, short-term, HRT trial. No evidence suggested benefits from long-term HRT in menopausal women in Taiwan.
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PMID:Hormone replacement therapy and menopause: a review of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. 1287 34

Studies of long-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are reviewed, and treatment recommendations based on the results are advanced. HRT is a popular therapy for postmenopausal symptoms and osteoporosis prevention in women. However, women also use hormones for unlabeled indications, such as cardiovascular disease prevention. In the past, observational and case-controlled trials have suggested that HRT confers a benefit through an improvement in lipid profiles and has relatively few adverse effects. However, no randomized controlled trial had proven this before HRT became popular. More recently, the results of additional observational studies and large, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have been published that indicate that HRT may not be as beneficial or risk free as first thought. If a woman wishes to begin or continue HRT for short-term menopausal symptoms, it is crucial to evaluate her individual risk of breast cancer, coronary heart disease, venous thromboembolism, and stroke before recommending therapy. Otherwise, HRT should not be recommended for treatment durations of more than five years, and treatment should be discontinued in women at risk of complications. Recent large, randomized, placebo-controlled trials have shown substantial risks and limited benefits in the long-term use of HRT.
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PMID:Risks and benefits of long-term hormone replacement therapy. 1289 26

The role of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the health of middle-aged women has come a full circle. HRT has been widely accepted as the treatment of choice for the management of menopausal symptoms. However, the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) and other recent randomised controlled trials have failed to confirm beliefs of other potential benefits in reducing the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke. Indeed, early increases in cardiac event and stroke rate have been seen in women taking combination HRT. An increased risk of breast cancer diagnosis has also been confirmed in HRT users. The use of HRT now needs to be regarded as a short-term therapy for menopausal symptom management with treatment individualised for each woman.
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PMID:The demise of HRT? The long-term safety of hormone replacement therapy. 1290 91


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