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ESTHER Knows Best:

When it comes to HRT, through the skin is safer than by mouth!

 

Recently released results of the EStrogen  and THromboEmbolism Risk (ESTHER) study show that administering estrogens through the skin (transdermally) is likely to be considerably safer than taking them by mouth.  The risk of getting a blood clot (venous thromboembolism) was increased four-fold in women using oral estrogen replacement versus those taking no hormone replacement. In contrast, the risk in women taking estrogen in the form of a gel, cream, or patch had no increased risk at all.  The abstract can be found online at http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/115/7/840.

 

Given that 44 percent of the increased risk of HRT found in the WHI is attributable to blood clot formation, these results demonstrate that transdermal administration of HRT can dramatically alter the risk-benefit equation of HRT.  When almost half of the risk of HRT is removed, then it is no longer necessary to think of using HRT only for the shortest period of time as is currently recommended.

 

While this study is observational in nature and therefore not as definitive evidence as found in a randomized, controlled trial, it was based on a large number of cases (271) and is supported by many smaller studies. 

 

We have been saying on this website for years that there is no reason to take estrogen orally and these results further confirm our contention.