Dr. Tara Thompson, PharmD., FAPC

The postmenopausal stage in a woman’s life can be a time of significant challenges, as women must grapple not just with disruptive physical changes that result from the onset of menopause but also the taxing emotional changes – not to mention acceptance of the physical shift.

However, a recent study from the JAMA Network Open, as reported in HealthDay, tells a new story that could potentially rewrite the narrative on postmenopause and biological aging, specifically that those women who receive hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are considered biologically younger than those who do not.

 

Understanding Postmenopause and Its Biological Changes

According to Cleveland Clinic, postmenopause is defined as the period of time after a woman has gone through menopause and the menstrual period has been gone for over 12 consecutive months (essentially the end of ovulation). Much of what is experienced in menopause is a reaction to a decline in levels of estrogen – and in some cases progesterone – which is a hormone that the body naturally produces. 

The symptoms of menopause, and continue throughout postmenopause, are notoriously uncomfortable. These include:

- Hot flashes and night sweats

- Vaginal dryness

- Difficulty sleeping

- Changes in mood

- Weight changes

- Hair loss

- Urinary incontinence

- Loss in bone density (consider Advanced Joint Support by Pharmacist Formulations)

In some cases, should these symptoms become exceptionally debilitating, consulting a healthcare provider is very important. 

 

What HRT Brings to the Table

As a first line of support, HRT offers a great deal of potential in helping to address these issues and restore harmony within the body, physically and emotionally.

According to The Menopause Society, there are two forms of HRT that are pursued: 

- Systemic therapy: Pills, patches, sprays, gels, or a vaginal ring are utilized to deliver hormones that alleviate symptoms. These modes of delivery are absorbed into the bloodstream at levels that can make a notable impact in reducing, or ideally eliminating, the symptoms of postmenopause. 

- Low-dose therapy: This form of therapy, also known as vaginal estrogen, is delivered directly into the vagina and is a great opportunity for both moisturizing and rebuilding tissue, which is a struggle in postmenopausal women. 

 

What This Means for Biological Aging

HealthDay dives further into the study, which was conducted by researchers at Peking University in Beijing. The researchers assessed the potential link between HRT and the discrepancies between chronological and biological age in postmenopausal women (also considering socioeconomic status). Participants in the study were 117,763 postmenopausal women from the U.K. Biobank, with 40.3% had ever undergone HRT.

In analyzing the resulting data, it was found that use of HRT was linked with a smaller biological aging discrepancy vs. those who had never undergone it. It was also clearer for those who started the therapy at 55 years old or older and in those who used it for a period of 4-8 years. 

 

Compounding and its Relationship with HRT

With this, it’s clear there may be a strong tie between HRT and its positive impact on biological aging, with continued exploration to uncover more in the future. Imagine having the ability to take HRT to a new level through unique personalization that caters to the specific needs of each patient. By working closely with compounding pharmacists, providers and patients can identify the best formulation to tackle postmenopausal issues and can often deliver relief. 

Details around the full JAMA Network Open study can be found here: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2822953 

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Disclaimer

The FDA does not review any compounded medication for safety or efficacy. The information contained in this article is not meant to diagnose or treat a specific healthcare condition but should be used as educational-only material. 

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