Study Says: Post-menopausal hormone therapy cuts heart disease
After a median of five years of hormone therapy, women in the early post-menopausal group showed significantly less rate of blocked arteries.
New York: A team of US researchers has found that hormone therapy, when taken within six years of menopause, may slow the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis -- the primary underlying pathway that leads to heart disease and stroke.
The findings suggest that after a median of five years of hormone therapy, women in the early post-menopausal group who were taking estradiol, showed significantly less rate of blocked arteries -- a condition that can lead to heart disease and stroke, when measured against those taking the placebo.
"Studies on hormone therapy and vascular degeneration, provides strong evidence that the cardiovascular benefits of hormone therapy are dependent on timing of initiation," said Howard N. Hodis from Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in the US.
The researchers examined the hypothesis that the cardiovascular effects of post-menopausal hormone therapy vary with the timing of hormone therapy initiation.
The team conducted a study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Early versus Late Intervention Trial with Estradiol (ELITE) in over 600 post-menopausal women with no history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
They were stratified into two groups: early post-menopause -- women who were within six years of menopause and late post-menopause -- women who were 10 years or more beyond menopause.
Women in each group were randomly assigned to receive either oral estradiol -- with progesterone vaginal gel for those with a uterus or a placebo -- which included a placebo vaginal gel for those with a uterus.
"ELITE provides proof of concept and first direct evidence from human investigation that timing of hormone therapy is imperative for success in the prevention of atherosclerosis progressio," Hodis added.
"The stratification of participants into early and late post-menopause was a unique feature of ELITE. We believe that applying this design to further examination of heart disease prevention could ultimately prove immensely fruitful for women's health," Hodis noted.
The concept of timing of initiation of an intervention is likely applicable to most preventive approaches to cardiovascular disease in women, the authors stated.
Early Symptoms of Menopause: It's Not You, It's Me
As you age, natural fluctuations in hormones cause emotional and physical changes in your body. Menopause is of course a natural stage of a woman's productive cycle.
As you age, natural fluctuations in hormones cause emotional and physical changes in your body. Menopause is of course a natural stage of a woman’s productive cycle. After you reach the average age of 40 to 45, you may start to experience symptoms of early menopause. From emotional symptoms such as mood swings to physical symptoms such as an increase in body temperature, the symptoms of early menopause are many and can be often. Here are some of the most common types of symptoms:
Mood Swings – If your mood is swinging from a happy high to an ultimate low, you may be experiencing hormone-induced mood swings, one of the most common of symptoms of early menopause. Mood swings during early menopause are normally caused by hormone changes and fluctuations in the body, specifically female ovarian hormones (like estrogen). It is normal to experience mood changes during early menopause, but you should be aware of your overall emotional state. If your daily mood swings are leaning towards a stronger stage of depression, it is important to seek appropriate treatment.
Hot Flashes – Another “classic” in the list of symptoms of early menopause, hot flashes are one of the most frequent side effects of menopause and affect the majority of women. During early menopause, you may experience a sudden change in body temperature, causing your face to flush red and your body to sweat. Many women also experience hot flashes during the night – or rather, “night sweats”.
Irregular Periods – If you are noticing irregular periods or your period tends to be on the very light or very heavy side, you may be experiencing symptoms of early menopause. Caused by your fluctuating hormone levels, an irregular period is a normal sign of menopause. Your periods may go from light to heavy, or vice-versa, range from a normal amount of days to several months in between. Periods during early menopause can change several times with no pattern at all… until finally they end completely.
Low Libido – One symptom of early menopause can be a decrease in libido, or sex drive. If your normal desire seems to wane or you are experiencing a disinterest in sexual activity, it may be your hormones to blame. A natural side effect of aging (and not just menopause), lower hormone levels can cause a decrease in your libido. Not to mention, sexual drive can be affected by many factors other than hormones. It is important to check your stress levels, physical health and overall happiness when it comes to your sexual health.
These are just a few of the symptoms of early menopause. If you are nearing the average age for early menopause (between 40-45 years) and experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be time to discuss different treatment options with your healthcare provider. Different treatments such as multivitamins, supplements or even hormone replacement can help lessen severe menopause side effects and help you get through this natural change with ease. Take control of your health today by taking charge of your early menopausal symptoms.
How to Recognize Low T Symptoms
By learning more about what causes low testosterone and the way those lower levels happen, you can work with a physician and design a course of treatment.
Low testosterone levels have a significant impact on the quality of life. Unfortunately, the condition often goes undetected, simply because the signs are also associated with other physical and emotional issues. By learning more about what causes low testosterone and the way those lower levels manifest, it is possible to work with a physician and design a course of treatment. Here is some information that males and their partners need to know.
The Causes
Knowing what causes low testosterone is one way to get a better idea of what is happening inside. Many people are surprised to learn how many things can cause this condition.
Chronic health issues are definitely a factor. Men with type 2 diabetes are likely to have lower testosterone levels. Obesity is another underlying cause. Heart problems, high levels of bad cholesterol, and infections are also common causes. Lung, liver, and kidney disorders may play roles in the reduced production of testosterone.
The Signs
Along with recognizing what causes low testosterone, it pays to look for symptoms of low T. One of the most common is a change in sexual function. The inability to gain and maintain an erection is one example. A waning desire for intimacy is not unusual with low testosterone levels. Even the amount of semen released during ejaculation will decrease if testosterone levels are dropping.
Not all signs have a direct connection to sexual function and desire. Men may find they have less energy, both in mind and in body. Concentrating on tasks becomes more difficult and the endurance needed to complete those tasks is harder to come by.
Mood changes are also a sign of low T. An increased level of irritability is not uncommon. Some men will become depressed or begin to develop anxiety disorders.
Physically, a male with low T will find it easier to gain weight and harder to build or maintain muscle mass. Even the bones may begin to become more brittle.
What Can Be Done?
Fortunately, low testosterone levels can be treated. The first thing you should do is undergo a complete physical. Doing so will make it easier to determine if there are any developing health issues that are contributing to the problem. For some men, identifying those issues and undergoing treatment for them will be enough to restore the body’s ability to produce a sufficient supply of testosterone.
For example, being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes could answer the question of what causes low testosterone in that patient. At that point, changes in diet and exercise will help. Couple that with the use of an oral medication designed to keep blood glucose levels under control and those testosterone levels could begin to increase.
Along with addressing any chronic or ongoing health issue, it also pays to make some lifestyle changes. If you spend most of the day at a desk, engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day. Even brisk walking will help. Your body is made to be active. By getting up and moving around, you’ll stimulate the production of endorphins, neurotransmitters that help to regulate mood, and the production of testosterone. In a matter of months, you may find that your desire for intimacy is returning.
Under the direction of the doctor, you may undergo testosterone replacement therapy. Like other approaches, the therapy will not produce results overnight. It also does not serve as a replacement for a proper diet and regular exercise. Your doctor can provide guidelines that will lead to the best possible results.
Low T is reversible. Seek help today and things will be better tomorrow.
