The American health authorities are looking into hormonal treatments against the effects of menopause, which could encourage use for years due to increased risks of developing breast cancer on Thursday.
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Synonymous with the end of the end of ovarian activity and the cessation of menstrual cycles, menopause has consequences on the health of women and can cause very uncomfortable symptoms: hot flashes, sleep disorders, vaginal dryness, etc.
Hormonal treatments, “for decades have helped women relieve the symptoms of menopause,” said Marty Makary, the boss of the American Medicines Agency (FDA), believing that the linked risks have been overestimated.
He gathered a panel of external experts on Thursday to his agency in order to re -examine the risks linked to these hormonal menopause treatments.
Marty Makary has long defended their prescription. He even believes in his video that these treatments can reduce cognitive decline, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, can prevent osteoporosis or cardiovascular disease.
At the time of menopause, the ovaries gradually cease to operate, notably resulting in a drop in estrogen levels. These upheavals can cause very uncomfortable symptoms, which hormonal substitute treatments relieve.
But, in 2002, an American study threw the disorder by showing that hormonal treatments led to an increase in the risk of breast cancer, and their prescription fell significantly.
The FDA notice on these treatments list of increased risks of endometrial and breast cancer, as well as blood clots.
An editorial published this week by the American Family Physician newspaper concludes that limited profits and significant risks. “Menopause is a positive experience for many women and should not be medicalized,” write the authors.
Many of the experts called Thursday to reflect on the question have links with laboratories that sell these treatments or are part of a collective, funded by pharmaceutical companies, which defends a change in their notice.