It has long been known that hormone replacement therapy--HRT--can raise the good cholesterol and lower the bad cholesterol levels in menopausal women; this is one of the many reasons that HRT is believed to reduce the risk of heart disease in women.  What was not known is whether this is a dose related effect.  Now, researchers from Columbia University have shown in a large-scale clinical trial that low-dose HRT is also effective at managing cholesterol levels.  This data comes from the Women's HOPE Study [Fertility and Sterility, 7/01].

The HOPE Study findings revealed that low-dose HRT was able to raise the good cholesterol, or HDL by 10% and lower bad cholesterol, or LDL by 7%.  These results are similar to those shown with the most commonly prescribed doses of HRT.  This is very good news for women who seek the benefits of HRT, but who want to reduce their dose in order to reduce their risk of side effects. 

The Women's HOPE Study is the longest controlled, randomized clinical trial ever done to asses the efficacy and benefits of low-dose HRT.  This study has also established that low-dose HRT is as effective as standard doses in treating menopausal symptoms--such as hot flashes, night sweats and sleep disturbances--with fewer side effects.

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Created: 9/13/2001  -  Donnica Moore, M.D.