A new study called KEEPS (Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study) published results in the Annals of Internal Medicine last week. The study looked at 727 women from 9 different academic centers aged 42-58 who were no more than three years into menopause over a four year period. Women were given either an estrogen patch,oral estrogen or a placebo. They were evaluated for progression of arterial plaque formation to determine if hormones increased the risk of heart attack as previously reported from the Women's Health Initiative(WHI) study. The big difference in the KEEPS study was that the women were younger and had not been in menopause as long as the women in WHI. WHI was prematurely stopped after 6 years as there was an increase of heart attacks and strokes. In that study most of the women were into menopause at least ten or more years before starting hormones. Furthermore, they were taking oral hormones derived from pregnant horses urine. It is believed that oral hormones increase clotting factors like the birth control pill, thus increasing risk for heart attack and stroke. The theory behind this is that women start to increase their risk of heart disease when they lose their hormones and develop a risk equal to that of men. The new KEEPS study demonstrates previously held beliefs about estrogen protecting women from heart disease. The WHI did not show these results as the women had been in menopause longer and had already developed blockages by the time they entered the study. 

Implications from the KEEPS study shows that if women start hormone replacement close to or even before menopause they may attain prevention from developing heart disease. The study also shows excellent relief from menopausal symptoms.

KEEPS is a very promising study that helps debunk the erroneous information disseminated by the extremely poorly designed WHI study.

I am anticipating more favorable information about hormone replacement for women as better designed ongoing studies report their results.

Stay Tuned !