The effects of short-term hormone replacement therapy on long-term bone mineral density

Abstract

Introduction Short-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT) relieves menopausal symptoms and increases bone mineral density (BMD), but bone loss reoccurs upon discontinuation. This study assesses whether short-term HRT provides long-term BMD benefits.

Method This was a prospective study of women aged 50–54 years followed up for 9 years. Women were categorized into three groups according to the treatment they received: No-HRT (n = 340), Short-term HRT (2–4 years, n = 60), and Long-term HRT (9 years, n = 187).

Results BMD increased significantly at the hip (2.4%, p < 0.001) and spine (8.0%, p < 0.001) over 9 years in the Long-term HRT group. Women without treatment lost BMD at the hip (−4.2%, p < 0.001) and spine (−3.5%, p < 0.001). Women in the Short-term HRT group had no significant loss of BMD at the hip (−1.6%, p = 0.08) or spine (−1.4%, p = 0.18) over 9 years. BMD in the Short-term HRT group was significantly higher at 9 years than in the No-HRT group at both spine (difference 0.023 g/cm², p = 0.048) and hip (difference 0.016 g/cm², p = 0.042).

Conclusion After 9 years, women who had taken short-term HRT had no significant loss of BMD and were better off in terms of BMD than those left untreated. Short-term HRT in the early postmenopausal period provides long-term BMD benefits.

Key words:

• BONE MINERAL DENSITY
• PERIMENOPAUSE
• HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY