Hormone Therapy Reduces Insulin Resistance in Menopausal Women, Study Finds
A new meta-analysis, presented at the 2024 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society, reveals that hormone therapy may significantly reduce insulin resistance in menopausal women. This is an important discovery, as the decline in estrogen levels during menopause is associated with an increased risk of insulin resistance, a precursor to pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
The Impact of Hormone Therapy
The meta-analysis reviewed data from 17 randomised, controlled trials conducted between 1998 and 2024, involving over 29,000 healthy postmenopausal women. Dr. Xuezhi (Daniel) Jiang, the lead researcher from Reading Hospital Tower Health and Drexel University College of Medicine, found that both estrogen-only and estrogen-plus-progestogen therapies were effective in reducing insulin resistance, with estrogen alone showing the greatest impact.
The trials involved women aged 47 to 75, with treatment periods ranging from eight weeks to two years. Participants were randomly assigned either hormone therapy or a placebo. The findings demonstrated a significant decrease in insulin resistance among those receiving hormone therapy compared to the placebo group.
Beyond Menopausal Symptom Relief
Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director of The Menopause Society, emphasised that the benefits of hormone therapy extend beyond alleviating menopausal symptoms like hot flashes. She pointed out that it also helps reduce the risk of insulin resistance, making hormone therapy a valuable consideration for women’s health during and after menopause.
About The Menopause Society
Formerly known as The North American Menopause Society, The Menopause Society has been a leading authority on menopause since 1989. The nonprofit organisation is dedicated to promoting women’s health through research, education, and resources for healthcare professionals and the public. For more information, visit their website at https://www.menopause.org.
This study underscores the potential of hormone therapy not only in managing menopausal symptoms but also in improving long-term health outcomes for women transitioning through menopause.
Originally published by https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/
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