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Study finds oral hormone replacement therapy increases venous thromboembolism risk

Current use of oral menopausal hormone therapy (commonly known as hormone replacement therapy or HRT) is associated with an increased risk of blood clots in legs / lungs regardless of dose or treatment duration, finds a large Danish study published by The BMJ today.

23 Sep 2026

HRT linked to lower dementia risk, but timing and menopause type matter

In a UK Biobank study of 183,450 postmenopausal women followed for an average of 13.3 years, hormone replacement therapy use was associated with a modestly lower risk of dementia, with stronger associations in women who had surgical menopause or shorter natural estrogen exposure. The relationship also varied by age at HRT initiation, while the observational design means the findings cannot establish that HRT prevents dementia.

27 Aug 2026

Menopause may raise women’s Alzheimer risk earlier than doctors once thought

This review argues that women’s higher Alzheimer disease risk may be shaped in part by midlife neuroendocrine aging, especially the menopause transition, rather than by longevity alone. It highlights early menopause, bilateral oophorectomy, vasomotor symptoms, and midlife cognitive changes as underinvestigated but potentially important risk markers, while calling for sex-specific, biomarker-driven prevention strategies.

18 Mar 2026

Low-dose megestrol strengthens hormone therapy in ER-positive breast cancer

Low-dose megestrol enhances hormone therapy for ER-positive breast cancer, reducing tumor proliferation and improving treatment adherence in the PIONEER trial.

7 Jan 2026

Experts warn against unnecessary menopause testing and treatments

Many direct to consumer menopause services are unnecessary and do not improve care, warn experts in The BMJ today.

20 Aug 2025

New insights into depressive symptoms in premature ovarian insufficiency

Premature menopause has been described as a life-changing diagnosis with profound physical, psychological, and social consequences. Affected women not only experience the effects of estrogen deficiency, but they also experience the unanticipated loss of reproductive function.

16 Jul 2025

Long term use of desogestrel linked to small increase in brain tumor risk

Taking the progestogen-only contraceptive pill desogestrel continuously for more than five years is associated with a small increased risk of developing a type of brain tumor called an intracranial meningioma, finds a study from France published by The BMJ today.

12 Jun 2025

Hormone therapy boosts heart health markers but raises some risks

Researchers assess hormone therapy-induced changes in cardiovascular biomarkers.

29 Apr 2025

Hormonal contraceptives linked to higher postpartum depression risk

Researchers investigate whether the use of hormonal contraception increases the risk of postpartum depression.

4 Apr 2025

Specific HRT tablets linked to increased risk of heart disease and blood clots

Certain hormone replacement therapy (HRT) tablets containing both estrogen and progestogen are associated with a higher risk of heart disease and rare but serious blood clots known as venous thromboembolism (VTE) in women around the age of menopause, finds a study from Sweden published by The BMJ today.

28 Nov 2024

Postmenopausal hormone therapy use declines amidst risk-benefit concerns

A study reveals a sharp decline in menopausal hormone therapy use among U.S. women, highlighting disparities across racial and ethnic groups over two decades.

2 Oct 2024

Hormone therapy found to improve insulin sensitivity in menopausal women

Menopausal women are at greater risk of insulin resistance as a result of declining estrogen levels. Previous studies evaluating the potential benefits of hormone therapy on insulin resistance have produced mixed results.

16 Sep 2024

Estrogen-based hormone therapies have favorable long-term effects on heart disease risk

Recent studies show that women can experience bothersome menopause symptoms, like hot flashes, for longer than originally estimated.

10 Sep 2024

Researchers identify shared molecular mechanism in cancer and pregnancy that suppresses immune system

Researchers elucidated the shared immune tolerance mechanisms in cancer and pregnancy, focusing on the role of an immune checkpoint protein as an onco-fetal immune tolerance checkpoint.

11 Jul 2024

Research reveals immune suppression link between cancer and pregnancy

To understand why some cancers successfully circumvent the immune system to grow unchecked, researchers turned to pregnancy.

8 Jul 2024

Study provides reassurance regarding the safety of using hormone therapy after age 65 years

After the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) in 2002, many women have resisted taking hormone therapy (HT), especially after age 65 years, because of fears of increased risks for various cancers and heart disease.

10 Apr 2024

Certain progestogens linked to higher brain tumor risk in women, study suggests

Study finds long-term use of specific progestogens increases the risk of benign brain tumors in women, while short-term use and other progestogens do not.

3 Apr 2024

Researchers identify increased brain tumor risk with specific contraceptive use

The intracranial meningioma risk associated with progestogen use.

28 Mar 2024

Long-term use of certain progestogen drugs may raise risk of intracranial meningioma

Prolonged use of certain progestogen hormone drugs is associated with an increased risk of developing a type of brain tumor known as an intracranial meningioma, finds a study from France published by The BMJ today.

27 Mar 2024