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After 25 years, menopause hormone therapy is re-evaluated: what new data says
๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ด Romania /Health & Science

After 25 years, menopause hormone therapy is re-evaluated: what new data says

From Adevฤƒrul · () Romanian

Translated from Romanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Hormone therapy for menopause, once viewed with suspicion, is being re-evaluated based on new scientific data, shifting away from earlier fears of cardiovascular risks and breast cancer.
  • Recent reinterpretations of decades of data, particularly by the US FDA, suggest that risks are not uniform and depend heavily on factors like patient age and timing of treatment initiation.
  • The therapy is now considered safe and effective when started within the first 10 years of menopause, offering significant benefits for symptom control and quality of life.

After more than two decades of widespread reluctance, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is regaining prominence as a viable treatment option, thanks to a re-evaluation of scientific data. Earlier concerns, largely stemming from studies in the early 2000s, had linked MHT to increased risks of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer, leading to a dramatic global decline in its use.

However, new analyses, including one by Professor Dr. Gheorghe Peltecu, suggest these fears need reassessment. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took a significant step in November 2025 by requesting the removal of strict warnings associated with MHT. This was followed by the official approval of label changes for MHT products in February of this year.

"For nearly 25 years, hormone therapy has been widely avoided, mainly due to fears related to cardiovascular risks and breast cancer. Today, we understand that these risks are not uniform and depend on essential factors such as the patient's age, the timing of initiating treatment, and the type of therapy used," explained Prof. Dr. Peltecu. He noted that initial studies like the HERS and WHI trials, which raised alarms, primarily involved older women significantly past the onset of menopause.

Current data indicates that MHT can have a favorable safety profile when initiated within the so-called "window of opportunity" โ€“ the first 10 years after menopause begins. Under these conditions, the cardiovascular risk is not significantly elevated, while the benefits for managing menopausal symptoms are substantial, leading to a marked improvement in quality of life. The risk of breast cancer, a key concern, is also being re-examined within this updated context.

For nearly 25 years, hormone therapy has been widely avoided, mainly due to fears related to cardiovascular risks and breast cancer. Today, we understand that these risks are not uniform and depend on essential factors such as the patient's age, the timing of initiating treatment, and the type of therapy used.

โ€” Prof. Dr. Gheorghe PeltecuExplaining the shift in understanding regarding the risks associated with menopausal hormone therapy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Adevฤƒrul in Romanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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