Menopausal Women Two Times More Likely To Suffer Hip Fractures Later In Life
The Washington Post recently reported on new research coming from the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine shows that menopausal women who suffer with hot flashes are almost two times more likely to suffer hip fractures later in life. The research published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism analyzed data from more than 23,000 women ages 50 to 79 enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative Clinical Trial at 40 medical centers around the country. Researchers noted that the women with moderate to severe hot flashes had lower bone mineral density, a well-known precursor for osteoporosis. However the researchers were surprised that there was no connection between hot flashes and fractures of the vertebrae.
Hormone Replacement Therapy Believed To Be More Effective In The Early Stages Of Menopause
New research published in The Obstetrician & Gynecologist states that hormone replacement therapy is the best treatment for menopausal symptoms, particularly in the early stages. Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, provides low doses of estrogen, with or without progestogen, to replace hormones no longer produced during menopause. Prior studies have analyzed the effectiveness of HRT, however none have looked at the effects on younger women in the early stages of menopause. Researchers believe that the earlier HRT is put into use, the less severe the symptoms.
Policy Changes At John Hopkins University Hospital Involving Power Morcellation
The American College of Surgeons recently reported on policy changes at John Hopkins University Hospital concerning procedures involving power morcellation. Power morcellation recently made news headlines after some women who had the procedure later developed cancers of the reproductive system. The new policy states that the hospital will no longer perform morcellation hysterectomy nor fibroid removal surgery on women over age 50 or any woman exhibiting risk factors for gynecological cancers. The new policy also requires that power morcellation only be done by high volume surgeons who use an endoscopy bag to contain the tissue that can potentially spread cancer to other areas. Finally, the new policy requires that all women coming in for gynecological surgeries be screened for uterine cancers and be fully informed of the risks involved with using power morcellation.
Bisphosphonates May Reduce Risk Of Endometrial Cancer
New research published in the American Cancer Society’s journal, Cancer, states that women who use bisphosphonates, a popular medication used to treat osteoporosis and other bone conditions, have half the risk of developing endometrial cancer as women who do not use them. Endometrial cancer occurs in the lining of the uterus and accounts for nearly 50% of gynecological cancers in the United States. While bisphosphonates are proven to prevent bone loss, preclinical studies show that the medications also have antitumor effects, including the ability to stop tumor cells from multiplying as well as invading normal tissue.