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HRT/Contraception

HRT/Contraception. Joanna Swallow Mary Valentine. Menopause. Average age 51 80% post menopausal by 54 Climacteric precedes menopause Decreased no. of follicles, ovaries fail and don’t respond to pituitary hormones. What symptoms do women suffer?. Physical Vasomotor flushing

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HRT/Contraception

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  1. HRT/Contraception Joanna Swallow Mary Valentine

  2. Menopause • Average age 51 • 80% post menopausal by 54 • Climacteric precedes menopause • Decreased no. of follicles, ovaries fail and don’t respond to pituitary hormones

  3. What symptoms do women suffer?

  4. Physical Vasomotor flushing Less skin collagen Vaginal dryness Urinary tract prolapse Reduced Bone mineral density Increased CVS risk Psychological Insomnia Reduced concentration Anxiety Lethargy Reduced libido Symptoms

  5. ‘’I think I may be menopausal’’ • Women often come to check/for reassurance (similar to ‘I’m pregnant consultation) • 80% do not want HRT • They want advice and info • Less than 50% of women prescribed hrt are using it at 1 year • Websites of use http://www.cks.library.nhs.uk/menopause • http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/menopause.html

  6. Consultation ideas Promote health Diet, exercise, breast awareness, mammograms, stop smoking, BP ?lipids, ?depression screening, ?urinary symptoms screening Assess osteoporotic risk FSH/LH, No point if >45 (levels fluctuate massively) If <45 +no periods can indicate premature menopause ?Another reason for symptoms FSH/LH>15 + oestradiol <70pmol/l 2 FSH >30iu/l 6 wks apart If taking FSH in menstruating women day 2-3 of menses

  7. HRT • BNF states, HRt is suitable for relieving vaginal atrophy or vasomotor symptoms, not 1st line for osteoporosis • Topical vaginal oestrogen rptd prn local oestrogen pessarys 1 nocte 2/52, then 2-3 per week British menopause society states that it is safe to continue indefinitely (not premarin cream as systemic absorption)

  8. Some Evidence Red Clover (isoflavones) 6/52< Sage Clonidine Phytooestrogens (soya beans, chickpeas, cereals) SSRI paroxetine Venlafaxine+Gabapentin Black cohosh Exercise (healthspan-guernsey) No Evidence Vitamin E St Johns Wort Evening primrose Alternatives to HRT for flushes

  9. Risks • Increased risk of VTE and CVA • Increased risk of endometrial cancer (if oestrogen alone) • Increased risk of breast cancer (related to duration of use, prep, dissipates within 5yrs of stopping • Doesn’t prevent CHD/reduce cognitive decline • CSM advise minimum effective dose for shortest duration

  10. Breast cancer • 14/1000 women aged 50-64 are diagnosed with breast cancer each year • 15.5/1000 women aged 50-64 on oestrogen only HRT dx breast cancer/year • 20/1000 women aged 50-64 on combined HRT are diagnosed with breast cancer/year • 31/1000 women aged 50-79 are diagnosed with breast cancer each year • 31/1000 women aged 50-79 on oestrogen only HRT are dx with breast cancer each year • 35/1000 women aged 50-79 on combined HRT are diagnosed with breast cancer/year

  11. HRT and breast cancer • Hrt increases the risk of breast cancer starting from the end of the 3rd year, risk reverts to normal 1 yr after stopping • Risk increases with duration of use • Breast cancers in women on HRT are larger and more advanced than those in women on placebo • Data from Women’s Health Initiative

  12. Benefits • Symptom relief • Osteoporosis- combined hrt reduces risk of hip fractures 0.66 (0.45-0.98) • NNT 200 for 1 year • Colonic cancer, relative risk 0.80 (0.74-0.86) risk reduced 20%

  13. Early menopause • In women with a natural or surgical menopause before age 45yrs HRT may be used until the approx age of natural menopause with no theoretical risk above and beyond baseline • The increase in bone density outweighs the risk of CVD and breast cancer

  14. Harms • Cardiovascular disease – combined hrt RR1.29 coronary heart disease, RR1.41 stroke • Breast cancer as described • Endometrial cancer combined hrt increases risk by 2 cases per 1000 women over 10yrs (unopposed oestrogen 5) • Venous thromboembolism, hazard ratio 2.1 (extra 4 cases per 1000 women on hrt for 5yrs)

  15. Contraindications • Pregnancy/Breastfeeding • Oestrogen depdt cancer • Angina/MI • VTE • Liver disease • Untreated endometrial hyperplasia • Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding

  16. Caution • Migraine • FHx Breast cancer • Endometriosis (may worsen) • VTE risk factors • Hypertension

  17. Stop if • Sudden onset severe chest pain • Sudden SOB • Leg pain and ?DVT • Severe headache • Hepatitis/Jaundice • BP > 160/100 • Prolonged immobility • Stop HRT 4-6 wks before major surgery

  18. Intact Uterus Oestrogen + Cyclical progestogen for the last 12-14 days If no period for >12 months then Continuous combined Oestrogen/Progestogen or tibolone No Uterus Oestrogen only HRT (may still wish to combine if hx of endometriosis) Which Type?

  19. Starting HRT Begin HRT at the lowest possible dose and increase at 3/12 intervals if reqd • Record that the risks of HRT have been explained and that an informed decision has been taken by the patient • HRT patches last ¾ days or 7 days and are placed below waist and sites rotated

  20. What to expect • Cyclical HRT causes a regular withdrawal bleed near the end of the progestogen phase (Note the pt on cyclical HRT has to pay 2 prescription charges) • The aim of continuous combined HRt is to avoid bleeding but irreg bleeding may occur during early treatment-if this continues an endometrial assessment is required

  21. Continuous combined E.g premique Ellest duet conti Oestrogen only Eg Elleste Solo Cyclical HRT Eg. Premique calender pack 14 white (oest) and then 14 green (oest+prog) Prempak-C Elleste-Duet Example preparations

  22. Side effects • Most side effects disappear if the woman persists beyond 12 weeks with the preparation

  23. Oestrogenic Fluid retention Bloating Breast tenderness Nausea Headache Dyspepsia (take with food) Consider changing dose, changing oestrogen or changing delivery Progestogenic (In a cyclical pattern) Fluid retention Breast tenderness Mood swings Depression Acne Backache Reduce progestogen duration to 10 days per cycle, change progestogen c19/21 derivatives, delivery Side Effects

  24. C19 derivatives E.g Norethisterone Levonorgestorel More androgenic More likely to cause side effects C21 derivatives E.g Medroxyprogestogen acetate Dydrogesterone Less androgenic Progestogens

  25. Bleeding on HRT • If on a cyclical combined HRt check when the bleeding is (should be regular and predictable at end of prog phase) • Check – compliance • ?Interactions • Try a stop in HRT • ?Other reasons • If bleeding stops try changing progestogen • Refer 2 week rule if bleeding continues after HRT has been stopped for 4 wks

  26. Bleeding on HRT • Refer non urgently if change in pattern of withdrawal bleeds and breakthrough bleeding persisting more than 3/12 • On continuous combined there is a 40% risk of bleeding in the 1st 4/12 • Check that they were 1 yr post bleed before commencing • ~If continues >6/12 then investigate • If bleeding commences after ammenorrhea on the prep then investigate

  27. Stopping HRT • Stop gradually wean off over 6/12 • Half dose for 2-3 months • ¼ dose for 3/12 then stop • Patches may be cut to achieve this • Don’t reduce the progestogen if on a cyclical regime • If continuous reduce both simultaneously • Review after 1 month if symptoms have recurred consider restarting at lowest dose • If only vaginal symptoms then topical oestrogen's

  28. Contraception • HRT is not contraception • If LMP >2yrs ago and <50 yrs is prob ok • If LMP >1yr ago and >50 is prob ok • FSH raise does not guarantee

  29. Mirena • Mirena +oestrogen • Mirena is now licensed for endometrial protection as the progestogenic part of HRT combined with a small amount of oestrogen may control hot flushes • (4yrs)

  30. Other Questions?

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