[Puzzle of hormone replacement therapy and prospect of the role of traditional Chinese medicine in treating postmenopausal syndrome].
In July 2002, the Women's Heath Initiative (WHI) clinical trial, designed to clarify the risks and benefits of combination hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to the postmenopausal women declared that interim safety review after an average follow-up of 5.2 years found that a combination of estrogen and progestin frequently prescribed to postmenopausal women in USA increased the risk of invasive breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and pulmonary embolism while reduced bone fractures and colorectal cancer. The overall risks of HRT outweigh the benefits, which provides an opportunity for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) going abroad. A variety of clinical and experimental evidences have showed that TCM exerts quite satisfactory effect on relieving postmenopausal symptoms with little adverse effect, hence a potential role to replace or to improve HRT or to reduce the side effect induced by HRT.
Chen
Ming-Dao
MD
Shanghai Institute of Endocrinology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200025, China. mingdaochensh@yahoo.com
Yang
Ying
Y
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D004967:Estrogens / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D012307:Risk Factors
D004967:Estrogens