WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for December, 1997: Re: HRT starting at 80

Re: HRT starting at 80

From: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 30 Dec 1997 21:25:50 -0600 (CST)

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At Tue, 30 Dec 1997, Kathleen wrote: (Actually I wrote the following) >>Benefits have been shown for HRT at all ages reagardless of when it is
>>started. Reduction in heart disease, reduction is Alzheimer's,
>>reduction in colon cancer to name a few. The only potential risk is a
>>slight increase in breast cancer which more recent studies using doses
>>used today have failed to corroborate, i.e. they don't show an increase
>>in breast cancer, and to the contrary, one shows a decrease!!

The above are statements of fact and if they are seen as pro HRT, so be it.

>At the risk of offending Barbara Nesbitt ("we love our doctors..." as well as
>Dr. Marchbein, I must say that I don't know why Dr. Marchbein "takes issue with" my earlier
>statement that this forum (particularly Dr. Marchbein) is pro HRT/ERT for all women, at any age.

You bring up an excellent point and I'm flattered that it's now the "Harvey Health Forum" :-)

>There are *other* things women can do for their health--both to preserve it and enhance it--at
>*any* age.

That is quite true.

>Why is HRT always touted as the magic bullet?

I believe that HRT, as stated previously, has many wonderful advantages and some potential disadvantages. I don't believe it is a *magic bullet* nor is anything else.

>Tell me, Dr. Marchbein, if *men* were told that,
>beginning at age 51, all of them should now take a drug for life, would there be compliance en masse?

If there were a possibility that their penis' (what is plural for penis?) might shrivel, might become less functional and other diseases could be reduces markedly with a potential risk assigned to it, I know I would! But not everyone agrees with this I'm sure. 8-)

>Why
>are women constantly chastized for not taking HRT by the medical community?

It appears that you are confusing the forum with the medical community you and others may be exposed to. Many patients, after reading about the pros and cons of HRT chose not to take it. That is their choice and all that I know support it.

>Please--while telling posters about
>all the *great* aspects of HRT--please include the contraindications as well as the
>side effects that have been reported by the patients. There are *many* *studies* out there--if you are going to reference "studies" please
>point us to the journal, the name of the study, the drug company, anything--so we can look it up for ourselves.

I'll try and do that in the future.

The Nurse's Study was in the New England Journal of Medicine and the PEPI Studies (be sure to get all of them) are in JAMA. They should be available in your hospital's library.

>After all, "opinions expressed are for "educational" purposes, as you say. Give us the
>opportunity to truly educate ourselves by letting *us* go directly to these *many recent studies*.
>(With apologies to Barbara, who will probably see this as
>flaming--even though I am just expressing an idea that a *balanced* point of
>view would be nice on the topic of HRT.

This is not a balance point of view because you provided no data & no studies. It is, at worst a semi-flame of the way the forum is run. And that's not all bad. You see, since I and others donate our time after a full day at work, we try to answer as many questions as possible to help as many people as possible. That frequently limits the time available to present citations of specific studies as you requested. I will try in the future to do so if time permits. (BTW, who would like to pay for an assistant for me so we can still answer as many as possible and meet your (and others) criteria)? Obviously, tongue in cheek, the time dilemma remains. Best I can tell you is, I'll try. I've done it from time to time and it is very time consuming. My only question is, how will the people whose questions go unanswered feel because time is limited? I'm just trying to see both sides of the coin.

>I also think it would be
>a good idea if the Drs. who participate in this forum would list their affiliation with any drug
>companies (again, sorry for the non-P.C. comment, Barbara, but
>it just seems fair to ask for this information.
>

I have no affiliation with any drug company (L-rd know it would help with the kid's tuition). If anyone wants to pay me for the 2-3 hours I put in every night for free, I'll gladly take it and state my drug company affiliation with the disclaimer at the end of my posts. (I should be so lucky!)

You gave me a lot to think about. I appreciate your comments. I know you'll understand if I don't continue this thread. It's taken up a considerable amount of time and time is better spent (in the future, of course) on responding to as many as I am able.

--
Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. FACOG
OBGYN.net U.S. Representative, New York
Great Neck, New York
http://www.obgyn.net/states/bios/marchbein.htm
http://www.obgyn.net/women/advisors/harveym.htm

**Note:  Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes only
and, as such, do not constitute a physician-patient relationship.
This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to
consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options
and/or interventions.

**Private emails cannot be entertained due to time constraints,
consequently no private emails will receive a response.

**Thank you for your understanding ;-)

Next message: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D.: "Re: Uterine Prolapse"
Previous message: Connie: "Heating pads and tampons"
In reply to: Kathleen: "Re: HRT starting at 80"
Next in thread: Kelly: "Re: HRT starting at 80"

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