Low dose HRT patches may be safer than pills

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) given as low dose patches may be safer for women than taking pills, as it does not increase the risk of stroke new research suggests.

But the risk is significantly increased with high dose patches.

HRT is commonly prescribed to women to lessen the effects of the menopause. But many studies have shown there is an increased risk of stroke associated with it.

A team of researchers in Canada and Germany analysed the medical records of more than 800,000 women aged between 50-79 in the UK.

Between 1987 and 2006, more than 15,000 of the women suffered a stroke.

The findings from the study showed there was no increased risk of stroke in women who used low oestrogen dose patches compared with women who did not use HRT.

But the risk of stroke increased by up to 88 per cent with the high dose patches.

And women who used oral HRT had an increased risk of stroke by around 25-30% compared with women not using HRT, regardless of the oestrogen dose or when combined with progestogen.

However, this was only seen in women who were taking oral HRT long term. Women who used oral HRT for less than a year had no increased risk.

Andrea Lane, spokesperson for The Stroke Association said: “Past research has shown that HRT can carry a small risk of stroke, particularly in older women when long-term oestrogen treatment is involved.

"It is believed that HRT can increase the likelihood of abnormal blood clotting and can raise blood pressure, both of which are risk factors for stroke.

"This study is interesting as it suggests that HRT skin patches, which contain low levels of the female hormone, oestrogen, will not increase a woman’s risk of stroke.

"We’d be interested to see the results of further studies into how the administration of HRT can affect someone’s stroke risk.

"It’s important that anyone concerned about taking HRT should consult their GP or other health professional first.”

The findings are published online in to-day's British Medical Journal.

This article was published on Fri 4 June 2010