A new meta-analysis presented at the 2024 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society suggests that hormone therapy could significantly benefit menopausal women by reducing insulin resistance
This finding is particularly relevant as declining estrogen levels during menopause increases the risk of insulin resistance, a condition linked to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Hormone therapy
The meta-analysis, which reviewed data from 17 randomised, controlled trials involving over 29,000 participants between 1998 and 2024, explored the impact of hormone therapy on insulin resistance in healthy postmenopausal women.
Dr. Xuezhi (Daniel) Jiang, the lead researcher from Reading Hospital Tower Health and Drexel University College of Medicine, highlighted that both estrogen alone and estrogen plus progestogen therapies were effective in decreasing insulin resistance. However, estrogen alone showed a more pronounced effect compared to combination hormone therapy.
The trials included women aged 47 to 75 years, with treatment durations ranging from eight weeks to two years. Participants were randomised to receive hormone therapy or a placebo. The analysis revealed a significant reduction in insulin resistance among those receiving hormone therapy compared to the placebo group.
Addressing menopausal symptoms
Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director for The Menopause Society, emphasised the broader implications of the findings, noting that hormone therapy not only addresses menopausal symptoms like hot flashes but also mitigates the risk of insulin resistance in menopausal women. She emphasised the importance of considering hormone therapy as a potential treatment option for improving women’s health during and after menopause.
The Menopause Society, formerly The North American Menopause Society, has been an important authority on menopause since 1989. The organisation aims to empower healthcare professionals with evidence-based resources to enhance women’s health during the menopause transition and beyond.
For further insights into the study and to explore resources on menopause and healthy ageing, visit the Menopause Society’s website at www.menopause.org.
About The menopause society
The Menopause Society is dedicated to advancing women’s health through comprehensive research and education. As a nonprofit organisation, it is a trusted resource for healthcare professionals, researchers, and the public, offering critical insights into managing menopause and promoting healthy ageing.
