Postmenopausal hormone replacement may reduce risk of glaucoma

Women who take estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy to relieve climacteric symptoms may also be reducing their risk of a common form of glaucoma. This is what a research developed by scientists at the University of Michigan, and published online January 30 in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology.

The authors evaluated information on more than 152,000 women. Of these, about 60,000 had at least one prescription for estrogen-only therapy. The others took a combination of estrogen and progesterone or estrogen plus one androgen (male hormone).

During the four-year study, about 2% of women developed a common form of glaucoma, known as primary open-angle glaucoma. Glaucoma refers to a group of ocular diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve and can lead to blindness.

Each month of estrogen use reduced the risk of glaucoma by 0.4%, and after four years of continuous use , the odds were reduced by 19 percent.

Although researchers have entered an association between the use of hormone replacement therapy and a reduced risk for this form of glaucoma, it is not possible to prove a cause and effect relationship, requiring further research . In addition, no binding has been found for replacement with other hormones.

Estrogen may work by lowering the pressure, or by protecting certain cells in the eye, the researchers said. An earlier study, conducted by researchers at the University of California at Duke University School of Medicine and the Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University in China, shows that the contraceptive pill may increase the risk of glaucoma, and a the possible explanation is that the pill decreases estrogen concentrations in the body over time.

However, hormone replacement can continuously increase a number of risks, say such as cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and stroke. Instead, the findings may lead pharmaceutical companies to look at estrogen as a treatment for glaucoma. According to the team, the results may encourage pharmaceutical companies to develop topical estrogen derivatives and study them as a preventative glaucoma therapy.

Get your questions answered on hormone replacement

Heat waves, sleep and mood changes, night sweats and decreased sex drive. "These are just some of the symptoms that about 70% of women feel when they reach menopause," says gynecologist Marcelo Steiner, a member of the Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the State of São Paulo (SOGESP). Hormone replacement may be an alternative to help curb these problems. Among the various methods of replacement, the most common is made with the hormones estrogen and progesterone - the so-called bioidentical. "They are produced in the laboratory, but they have the same composition as the natural female hormone, so women tend to adapt better to them," explains Marcelo. But is this a really necessary treatment? Does the result outweigh the possible side effects? To end the fears and doubts about menopause and hormone replacement, My Life talked to a team of experts and prepared the quiz you give below.

Hormone replacement can only be started after stopping total menstruation?

Hormone replacement can, and should, be started before the total menses stop. "It is indicated when the symptoms - such as hot flashes, strong stress and decreased sexual appetite - begin to appear," says gynecologist Marcelo Steiner. He reminds, however, that treatment should only be started after careful evaluation and guidance of a physician.

The aspect of the skin improves in those who do hormone replacement?

Geriatrician Paulo Camiz explains that menopausal skin can suffer from lack of estrogen and hormone replacement helps to reverse the condition. "The treatment preserves the collagen content and the thickness of the skin, ensures more hydration and prevents the formation of wrinkles," he says.

Does sexual desire improve in those who do hormone replacement?

Hormone replacement improves lubrication and vaginal trophism, reducing pain and thus increasing pleasure. But sexual desire also depends on personal factors. "For people who feel decreased libido, androgen hormone therapy is indicated, which helps to awaken it," explains gynecologist Marcelo Steiner.

Are There Any Side Effects To Hormone Replacement?

"There may be breast pain , swelling, mood swings, headaches, vaginal bleeding, nausea and even hair loss, but the incidence is low, "explains Steiner. In these cases, the doctor should be consulted to adjust the dose and the type of hormone to be replaced.

Is the risk of breast cancer greater in those who do the replacement?

Gynecologist Marcelo explains that progesterone is used to protect against endometrial cancer - since estrogen causes this layer to thicken - but, on the other hand, can trigger the tumors in the breasts. A study by the National Institute of Health showed that women who received combined hormone replacement - progesterone and estrogen - had a better chance of developing breast cancer. Despite the limitations of this study, which used a very high dose of hormones for analysis, the result was accepted by the medical community. The use of estrogen alone - which is done in women who have withdrawn the uterus - does not present this risk.

Women who have stopped menstruation can not have a replacement?

Gynecologist Hugo Maia Filho, president of the Brazilian Society of Gynecology Endocrine, from Salvador (Bahia), explains that there is no problem in doing hormonal replacement even if menstruation has been interrupted with the use of medications. "These women can do hormone replacement without any problem, there is no contraindication," she emphasizes.

Any woman can do hormone replacement?

The gynecologist Hugo explains that, in some cases, hormone replacement is contraindicated, but rarely is this impediment absolute. "It is up to the doctor to evaluate individually to decide what is the best therapy, but almost always there is an alternative," he explains. Some examples are cases where there is a risk of thromboembolic events - such as stroke and stroke - and changes in coagulation, since hormonal therapy may alter this factor. Those who have uterine disease and breast cancer should also be aware of the effects of hormones. Any other symptom that can be aggravated by hormone replacement, such as headaches, also deserves attention.

Pregnancy Test: Understand how it works

The pharmacy pregnancy test detects the presence or absence of the hormone beta-HCG in the urine. This hormone is produced from the time the egg is implanted - that is, as soon as the gestation begins. Thus, a positive pregnancy test is one that identifies the presence of beta-HCG in the urine. There are several types of pregnancy tests.

(Health)

Brazil registers around 9 thousand new cases of chikungunya

According to the Ministry of Health, Brazil recorded an increase of 8,877 cases of chikungunya - more than 12 per hour - in just four weeks. The number reported is ten times greater than what had been accounted for last year, until November 28 the organization counted 259,928 cases of the infection, with 138 deaths.

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