Hormone Therapy

10 Jul

Posted at 22:45h in Endocrinology, Hormone Therapy

Supplement, Peptide & Hormone Therapy Notice: The hormone therapy options referenced in this article should only be undertaken under the supervision of a qualified, licensed healthcare provider following a thorough clinical assessment. Hormone therapies may interact with existing medications and may be contraindicated in individuals with certain health conditions. Do not use hormone therapies if you are pregnant, nursing, or may become pregnant. Always consult your physician before beginning, modifying, or discontinuing any hormone protocol.

Hormone changes can be sneaky. One week you feel mostly normal, and the next you're wide awake at 3 a.m., wondering why your body suddenly forgot the rules. It's easy to shrug off odd symptoms and blame stress, age, or a busy schedule. Sometimes that's true. Sometimes it's not. If you've been feeling a little off and can't quite explain why, it helps to know what signs to watch for and when it might be worth getting real support. For anyone in Grand Rapids weighing that question, local clinicians can run the bloodwork that turns guesswork into a clear answer.

For broader context on how hormone therapy is used to manage symptoms and improve quality of life, see this overview of hormone therapy benefits and considerations.

[caption id="attachment_74948" align="aligncenter" width="500"]how-to-spot-hormone-changes Source: Pexels[/caption]

09 Oct

Posted at 10:44h in Author Interviews, Endocrinology, Hormone Therapy, Testosterone
Editor's note: Enclomiphene is an investigational drug that is not FDA approved. Enclomiphene must be taken under a health care provider's supervision. Enclomiphene may have significant side effects and should never be used by women,  those with liver disease or other medical conditions.  This blog and the links provided are for informational purposes only and is not specific medical advice. Products are not tested or warranted by MedicalResearch.com or Eminent Domains Inc.

Revisiting Testosterone Therapy: Is Enclomiphene the Future of Male Hormone Restoration?

Testosterone therapy has long been a key treatment for male hypogonadism, a condition marked by low testosterone and related symptoms such as fatigue, reduced libido, and loss of muscle mass. Yet, traditional testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is not without drawbacks. It can suppress natural hormone production, impair fertility, and carry cardiovascular risks. The emergence of Enclomiphene citrate, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), offers a promising alternative. Rather than replacing testosterone externally, it stimulates the body’s natural production. This shift toward physiological restoration may redefine the future of male hormone management. Male Hormone Restoration with Enclomiphene

Understanding Enclomiphene Citrate

What Is Enclomiphene Citrate?

Enclomiphene citrate is one of two isomers of clomiphene, a compound historically prescribed for female infertility. Unlike traditional TRT, which introduces external testosterone, Enclomiphene works by reactivating the body’s hormonal feedback loop. As a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), Enclomiphene blocks estrogen’s inhibitory feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. This blockage triggers increased secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), leading to enhanced testosterone production within the testes.

20 Jan

Posted at 17:35h in Endocrinology, Hormone Therapy
Editor’s note:  There are short and long term risks of hormone therapy, including oxytocin. Hormone and supplements products may not be FDA tested or approved. All hormone therapy should be taken only under the direction of an experienced endocrinologist or medical provider. Please also remember that photos, text and illustrations on websites do not guarantee results.  Cardiovascular health is often viewed through a lens dominated by risk factors like cholesterol, blood pressure, and lifestyle choices. While these are crucial, emerging research highlights a deeper interplay between hormones and heart health. Among these, the role of oxytocin, often called the "love hormone," provides intriguing insights. However, the scope extends far beyond oxytocin, encompassing a web of hormonal influences that shape cardiovascular resilience and risk. This article explores these connections, emphasizing a more holistic understanding of heart health. [caption id="attachment_66009" align="aligncenter" width="500"]cardiovascular-health-hormones Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya[/caption]

The Hormonal Web and the Heart

The cardiovascular system is heavily influenced by hormones, which act as chemical messengers coordinating various bodily functions. Key players include adrenaline, cortisol, estrogen, testosterone, and oxytocin. These hormones regulate heart rate, blood vessel dilation, inflammation, and cholesterol metabolism. While acute hormonal changes prepare the body for immediate challenges, chronic imbalances can wreak havoc on cardiovascular health. For instance, prolonged exposure to elevated cortisol levels from stress contributes to hypertension, arterial damage, and increased risk of heart attack. Understanding these hormonal dynamics is essential for developing targeted interventions that not only treat symptoms but also address the root causes of cardiovascular issues.

Cortisol: The Stress-Induced Culprit

Cortisol, often dubbed the "stress hormone," is a double-edged sword. In short bursts, it helps manage acute stress by increasing heart rate and energy availability. However, chronic stress leads to consistently elevated cortisol levels, which can:
  • Increase blood pressure by promoting sodium retention.
  • Elevate blood sugar levels, contributing to insulin resistance and diabetes—both risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
  • Encourage visceral fat accumulation, which exacerbates inflammation and atherosclerosis.
Managing stress through mindfulness practices, regular exercise, and adequate sleep is a cornerstone of reducing cortisol's harmful effects on the heart.

26 Dec

Posted at 09:07h in Endocrinology, Hormone Therapy, Legal-Malpractice
[caption id="attachment_65677" align="aligncenter" width="500"]depo-provera-side-effects.jpg Image source[/caption]   Depo-Provera, a popular injectable birth control, is widely used for its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy. Administered once every three months, it offers convenience for those seeking a long-term contraceptive solution. However, like most medical treatments, it can come with its own set of side effects, which vary from person to person. If these side effects are severe or result in complications, you may need to contact a Depo-Provera lawsuit attorney to understand your options. Please remember all medications come with side effects and not all side effects indicate malpractice. Informed consent and severity of side effects are just two of the issues that may play a role in whether a complication is a basis for a lawsuit.

Irregular Menstrual Cycles

One of the most commonly reported side effects of Depo-Provera is irregular menstrual bleeding. Some people have greater or longer bleeding, spotting in between periods, or even amenorrhea, which is the lack of menstruation altogether. While amenorrhea is often considered normal for users of this contraceptive, irregularities in menstrual patterns can sometimes cause distress or concern. It is important to track changes in menstrual cycles and consult a healthcare provider if bleeding becomes persistent or painful.

16 Dec

Posted at 22:50h in Endocrinology, Hormone Therapy, Menopause
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment method that helps people with symptoms of menopause. This medication is taken to replace the estrogen that your body stops producing during menopause. Once your hormone levels rise, you may find relief from your symptoms. Hormone therapy also prevents osteoporosis and reduces the risk of fracture in postmenopausal women. To know whether you should consider taking HRT is a decision that you need to discuss with your healthcare provider. Hormone-replacement-image-1 There may be risks associated with using types of hormone therapy. These risks depend on the type of HRT, the dosage, and how long it is taken. Hormone replacement therapy should be designed for each person to ensure the benefits outweigh the risks.

16 Dec

Posted at 11:50h in Endocrinology, Hormone Therapy, Testosterone, Thyroid Disease
Editor’s note:  There are short and long term risks of hormone therapy, including testosterone and growth hormone. Side effects may include but not limited to liver, heart, blood and edema side effects. All hormone therapy should be taken only under the direction of an experienced endocrinologist and medical provider. Please also remember that photos and illustrations on websites do not guarantee results. Hormonal homeostasis refers to the body's ability to maintain a stable and balanced internal environment through the precise regulation of hormones. This delicate balance is essential for the proper functioning of various physiological processes, including metabolism, growth, and reproduction. When this equilibrium is disrupted, it can lead to significant health issues, making the study of hormonal homeostasis critical for understanding overall human health. [caption id="attachment_65498" align="aligncenter" width="500"]hormones-endocrine Freepix[/caption] The concept of hormonal homeostasis has been explored for over a century, with early research dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Scientists began to recognize the importance of hormones in maintaining the body’s internal balance, leading to groundbreaking discoveries in endocrinology. Today, hormonal homeostasis continues to be a vital area of research, offering insights into how the body adapts to changes and how imbalances can contribute to disease.

02 Nov

Posted at 12:10h in Hormone Therapy, Legal-Malpractice
[caption id="attachment_64509" align="aligncenter" width="500"]depo-provera-compensation Image Source[/caption]   Depo-Provera, a famous contraceptive shot administered every three months, has been widely used to prevent pregnancy. While effective for many, Depo-Provera has been linked to severe side effects, including bone density loss, blood clots, and even brain tumors in rare cases. If you've experienced harmful effects from Depo-Provera, you may be qualified for a settlement for medical expenses, pain, suffering, and other damages. This guide outlines the steps and critical information to understand if you’re seeking compensation.

01 Nov

Posted at 10:59h in Fertility, Hormone Therapy, Sexual Health
[caption id="attachment_64469" align="aligncenter" width="500"]young-women-pexels Pexels Photo by APG Graphics:[/caption] Birth control or medical contraception is used for a variety of reasons, but its main role is to prevent unwanted pregnancies. There are many different types of birth control, so their function and ingredients vary. In general, they usually affect your hormones to make you unable to conceive 99% of the time. Birth control is also used to regulate hormonal imbalances, stop menstruation, or alleviate symptoms of conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Like any medication, birth control can come with some side effects, which may be mild for some and extreme for others. You and your doctor will factor in your health, medical history, potential side effects, and reproductive goals to figure out which birth control method is the best for your needs and body. When prescribed birth control, it’s important to understand common and uncommon side effects to avoid concerns and complications.

31 Oct

Posted at 14:59h in Hormone Therapy
Editor's note: This article discusses growth hormone for research purposes only.  Do no take growth hormone or endocrine supplements unless specifically directed to do so by your health care provider.  [caption id="attachment_64417" align="alignleft" width="2370"]growth hormone Source Unsplash photos[/caption] Peptides have gained increasing interest in scientific domains due to their potential to regulate various biological processes. Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide-2 (GHRP-2) and CJC-1295 have been of particular focus. While individually studied for their potential to modulate growth hormone release and other physiological functions, their combined implications for emerging research remain an emerging topic of interest. This article aims to explore the potential implications of a GHRP-2 and CJC-1295 blend in scientific research, particularly in fields such as metabolism, tissue regeneration, and neurological function. The blend, by engaging with endocrine and cellular pathways, may open new research avenues in understanding and manipulating growth hormone (GH) signaling, tissue repair, and metabolic integrity.

04 Oct

Posted at 08:44h in Hormone Therapy, Menopause
  Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has long been used to manage the disruptive symptoms associated with hormonal imbalances, particularly those caused by menopause in women and low testosterone in men. As the body ages, hormone levels naturally fluctuate, often leading to uncomfortable symptoms that can negatively impact one’s quality of life. HRT offers a solution by replenishing key hormones, providing relief from symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and low energy. [caption id="attachment_63720" align="aligncenter" width="357"]middle-aged-men-women-hormone-therapy Source[/caption] Hormone replacement therapy involves supplementing the body with hormones that it no longer produces in adequate quantities. For women, this typically means replacing estrogen and progesterone, the hormones that regulate many aspects of the female reproductive system. For men, HRT usually focuses on replenishing testosterone, which naturally declines with age.   While the primary goal of HRT is to relieve symptoms, it can also improve long-term health. Estrogen, for example, helps protect against bone loss, and testosterone replacement in men can prevent muscle atrophy. But before diving into the benefits of HRT, it's important to understand why hormone levels fluctuate and how these changes affect the body.

02 Oct

Posted at 18:44h in Endocrinology, Hormone Therapy
[caption id="attachment_63716" align="aligncenter" width="500"]test-tubes-napoly-matnapo-kqrbavaf-fk-unsplash Source[/caption] Studies suggest that Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH) is a peptide with profound implications for the regulation of growth and metabolic processes. This article delves into the intricate roles of GHRH, exploring its functions, potential impacts, and the complex physiological mechanisms influenced by this peptide. Overview of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH) is a peptide consisting of 44 amino acids. It is primarily synthesized and secreted by the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. The principal function of GHRH is believed to be to stimulate the anterior pituitary gland to release Growth Hormone (GH). This cascade is considered to play a crucial role in regulating various physiological functions, including growth, metabolism, and tissue repair. Studies suggest that GHRH may act on the pituitary gland by binding to specific GHRH receptors located on pituitary somatotroph cells. These receptors are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that may activate intracellular signalling pathways, ultimately leading to the secretion of GH. GH, in turn, is believed to impact numerous tissues and organs, further influencing a wide array of physiological processes.

17 Jul

Posted at 21:01h in Author Interviews, Endocrinology, Hormone Therapy, Menopause
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_60619" align="alignleft" width="92"]Jerilynn C Prior MD FRCPC (on behalf of all authorsProfessor of Endocrinology / Department of Medicine University of British Columbia  Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research www.cemcor.ca BC Women’s Health Research Institute Vancouver BC Canada Dr. Prior[/caption] Jerilynn C Prior MD FRCPC (on behalf of all authors Professor of Endocrinology / Department of Medicine University of British Columbia Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research www.cemcor.ca BC Women’s Health Research Institute Vancouver BC Canada MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Night sweats and hot flushes/flashes (together called vasomotor symptoms, VMS) disturb women who are still menstruating (in perimenopause) are at least as much or more than  menopausal women (without flow for a year or more)1. However, although studies have investigated various treatments for perimenopausal hot flushes/flashes, none have proven effective in these women who are also likely to be having heavy flow, breast tenderness, and premenstrual symptoms related to high and variable estrogen levels. These include randomized controlled trials (RCT) of the birth control pill2, and gel estrogen in women using a progestin-releasing IUD3. Neither showed that therapy was more effective than placebo; both studied too few participants to provide a clear answer. Meanwhile, major medical organization guidelines recommend menopausal hormone therapy (MHT, usually of estrogen with a progestin) for any women younger than 60 years old who are bothered by night sweats and hot flushes 4-6. However, there are no scientific RCT studies showing MHT is effective for perimenopausal night sweats and hot flushes. Giving more estrogen to someone whose own estrogen levels are often high, also did not make clinical sense. We previously performed an RCT showing that oral micronized progesterone (progesterone) was effective for menopausal hot flushes and also improved sleep7. Given that progesterone levels in perimenopausal women are declining, we considered that perimenopausal progesterone therapy for night sweats needed testing.

01 Aug

Posted at 00:59h in Author Interviews, Endocrinology, Hormone Therapy, JAMA, Schizophrenia
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_50518" align="alignleft" width="200"]Mark Weiser, M.D. Associate Director for Treatment Trials The Stanley Medical Research Institute Kensington, MD 20895 Dr. Weiser[/caption] Mark Weiser, M.D. Associate Director for Treatment Trials The Stanley Medical Research Institute Kensington, MD 20895 MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Over the years many theories have been proposed explaining schizophrenia, and studies tested compounds based on these theories.  Some showed improvement in symptoms, but these positive findings were often not later replicated, and the theory discarded. Over the past 15 years several studies performed in Australia by Dr. Jayshri Kulkarni (Molecular psychiatry. 2015;20(6):695) showed positive effects of estrogen patches on symptoms in women with schizophrenia.

15 Jul

Posted at 17:57h in Author Interviews, Cancer Research, Hormone Therapy, JAMA, Prostate Cancer, University of Pennsylvania
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_50254" align="alignleft" width="180"]Ravi Jayadevappa, PhD, MS Department of Medicine Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA 19104-2676  Dr. Jayadevappa[/caption] Ravi Jayadevappa, PhD, MS Department of Medicine Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA 19104-2676  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: In the US, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among men. Research shows that hormone therapy or ADT reduces the levels of male hormones in the body, called androgens, to stop them from stimulating cancer cells to grow., and thus is effective in reducing the spread and progression of prostate cancer. At the same time, some research has suggested that decreasing androgen levels may increase the risk factors for Alzheimer’s and dementia, including loss of lean body mass, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression. The ADT therapy may lead to impaired neuron growth and the regeneration of axons, thus affecting the cognitive function. Thus there is growing interest in the possible association between exposure to ADT and cognitive dysfunction. Our study investigates the association between exposure to ADT and subsequent diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia in elderly, fee-for-service Medicare enrollees using SEER-Medicare linked databases.

05 Jul

Posted at 22:44h in Aging, Author Interviews, Cognitive Issues, Gender Differences, Hormone Therapy, JAMA, Menopause, Weight Research
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_50128" align="alignleft" width="144"]Rachel Zsido PhD student Department of Neurology  International Max Planck  Rachel Zsido[/caption] Rachel Zsido PhD student Department of Neurology International Max Planck MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: We integrated measures of brain network structure, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), serum estradiol levels, and cognitive performance from 974 participants in order to shed light on potential mechanisms underlying cognitive health. We believe it is imperative to assess sex-specific risk trajectories in brain aging and cognitive decline, especially given the known sex differences in both VAT accumulation patterns and estradiol fluctuations across the lifespan. Thus, we aimed to answer three questions in men and in women: 1) Does visceral adipose tissue exacerbate the association between age and brain network structure, 2) Does estradiol mitigate the negative association between VAT and brain network structure, and 3) What does this imply for healthy cognitive aging in men and women? 

26 Mar

Posted at 13:54h in Author Interviews, Endocrinology, Gender Differences, Hormone Therapy
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_48102" align="alignleft" width="133"]Joshua Safer, MD, Executive DirectorCenter for Transgender Medicine and SurgeryMount Sinai Health SystemSenior Faculty, Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone DiseaseIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Dr. Safer[/caption] Joshua Safer, MD, Executive Director Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery Mount Sinai Health System Senior Faculty, Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Disease Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: The standard trans feminizing hormone regimen includes estrogen both to suppress testosterone and so that the individual has sufficient circulating sex hormone in the body for good bone health. After orchiectomy, there is no need to suppress testosterone because the levels are very low and it is common to cut the estrogen dose in half.  Cis women with premature ovarian failure often take about 2 mg of estradiol daily so that dose has seemed reasonable for trans women without testes.  However, when my co-author Sira Korpaisarn and I checked estradiol levels and gonadotropins (pituitary hormones, LH and FSH) as a guide to dosing, we found that based on that testing, trans women may require higher doses of estrogens than the 2 mg that we expected.

07 Mar

Posted at 12:48h in Alzheimer's - Dementia, Author Interviews, BMJ, Hormone Therapy
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_47814" align="alignleft" width="142"]Tomi Mikkola MDAssociate ProfessorHelsinki University HospitalDepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyHelsinki, Finland Dr. Mikkola[/caption] Tomi Mikkola MD Associate Professor Helsinki University Hospital Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Helsinki, Finland MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: In Finland we have perhaps the most comprehensive and reliable medical registers in the world. Thus, with my research group I have conducted various large studies evaluating association of postmenopausal hormone therapy use and various major diseases (see e.g. the references in the B;MJ paper). There has been various smaller studies indicating that hormone therapy might be protective for all kinds of dementias, also Alzheimer’s disease. However, we have quite recently shown that hormone therapy seems to lower the mortality risk of vascular dementia but not Alzheimer’s disease (Mikkola TS et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2017;102:870-7). Now in this upcoming BMJ-paper we report in a very large case-control study (83 688 women with Alzheimer’s disease and same number of control women without the disease) that systemic hormone therapy was associated with a 9-17% increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, this risk increase is particularly in women using hormone therapy long, for more than 10 years. This was somewhat surprising finding, but it underlines the fact that mechanisms behind Alzheimer’s disease are likely quite different than in vascular dementia, where the risk factors are similar as in cardiovascular disease. We have also shown how hormone therapy protects against cardiovascular disease, particularly in women who initiate hormone therapy soon after menopause.

11 Jan

Posted at 14:42h in Author Interviews, BMJ, Endocrinology, Heart Disease, Hormone Therapy, Menopause, Thromboembolism
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_46894" align="alignleft" width="120"]Yana Vinogradova, PhD Research Fellow Department of Primary Care School of Medicine University of Nottingham University Park, Nottingham Dr. Vinogradova[/caption] Yana Vinogradova, PhD Research Fellow Department of Primary Care School of Medicine University of Nottingham University Park, Nottingham MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?   Response: The study targeted middle age women going through menopause.  This is the stage of life when women naturally reach the end of their reproductive life and their hormones gradually decrease.  Some women experience unpleasant effects such as hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, memory and concentration loss, headaches.  Quality of life may be severely affected.  Hormone replacement therapy uses a class of drugs, which, like all drugs, have side effects.   VTE is a serious side effect which can have a lethal outcome. There are different preparations of hormones available for such women.  Some of them were extensively studied in a large American Trial Women’s Health Initiative and showed the risk of VTE to be twice as high for women who took them.  However, these well-studied drugs are mostly prescribed in America.  The more popular drugs in Europe and the UK have been much less studied, so it was unclear how they compared. 

25 Mar

Posted at 12:13h in Author Interviews, Hormone Therapy, Menopause
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_40771" align="alignleft" width="133"]Jerilynn C. Prior, MD Professor in the Department of Medicine Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism University of British Columbia in Vancouver Dr. Prior[/caption] Jerilynn C. Prior, MD Professor in the Department of Medicine Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism University of British Columbia in Vancouver Dr. Prior has written the second edition of the award-winning book, Estrogen’s Storm Season—Stories of Perimenopause this year as an ebook on Google Play. MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: There is an urgent need for an effective therapy for perimenopausal hot flushes/flashes and night sweats (vasomotor symptoms, VMS). Although often considered “estrogen deficiency symptoms” VMS are common and very problematic for women in the menopause transition and who have not yet been one year without flow. About 23% of North American women are now in the perimenopausal age range. Surprisingly VMS are more common in perimenopause than in menopause; 9% of perimenopausal women have severe VMS as classified by the FDA, meaning more than 50 VMS per week of moderate to intense severity. The commonly used therapies for VMS in midlife women have not been proven more effective than placebo! That includes combined hormonal contraceptives (CHC) and menopausal-type hormone therapy (MHT) as well as the SSRI/SNRI anti-depressants and gabapentin. 

04 Nov

Posted at 00:58h in Author Interviews, Endocrinology, Hormone Therapy, JCEM
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_37876" align="alignleft" width="112"]Alexandra Ycaza Herrera, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Scholar Leonard Davis School of Gerontology Department of Psychology University of Southern California Los Angeles, Ca 90089 Dr. Herrera[/caption] Alexandra Ycaza Herrera, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Scholar Leonard Davis School of Gerontology Department of Psychology University of Southern California Los Angeles, Ca 90089  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: ​Previous research has shown that estradiol treatment after menopause can reduce the stress response when exposed to a stressor, including the cortisol response to stress. Other work has shown that stress can impair certain types of memory​. We wanted to test whether post-menopause estradiol treatment would not only attenuate the cortisol response to stress, but if it could also reduce the negative effects of stress on memory. In particular, we tested the effects on a type of memory called working memory. Working memory allows us to maintain and update information we need to readily access in short-term memory. For example, imagine you stop at the grocery store after work and only have a mental list of the items you need to make dinner. Working memory is the memory type engaged in helping you maintain and update your mental list of items as you grab items off the shelves and check them off your list. We recruited women through the Early versus Late Intervention Trial with Estradiol, a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Women who participated in our study had received nearly 5 years of either estradiol or placebo. We found that women receiving estradiol showed significantly smaller cortisol responses to stress and less of an effect of stress on working memory than women that had been receiving placebo.

13 Sep

Posted at 00:51h in Author Interviews, Brigham & Women's - Harvard, Endocrinology, Hormone Therapy, JAMA, Menopause
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_36873" align="alignleft" width="111"]JoAnn E. Manson, MD, DrPH Chief, Division of Preventive Medicine Brigham and Women's Hospital Professor of Medicine and the Michael and Lee Bell Professor of Women's Health Harvard Medical School Boston, Massachusetts  02215 Dr. Manson[/caption] JoAnn E. Manson, MD, DrPH Chief, Division of Preventive Medicine Brigham and Women's Hospital Professor of Medicine and the Michael and Lee Bell Professor of Women's Health Harvard Medical School Boston, Massachusetts  02215  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The current report provides new information on total mortality and the rates of death from specific causes (cardiovascular disease, cancer, other major illnesses) over 18 years of follow-up in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) randomized trials of hormone therapy (estrogen + progestin and estrogen alone). This is the first WHI report to focus on all-cause and cause-specific mortality. It includes all of the 27,347 women in the 2 hormone therapy trials with >98% follow-up over 18 years, during which time 7,489 deaths occurred. This is more than twice as many deaths as were included in earlier reports. The report also provides detailed information on differences in results by age group (ages 50-59, 60-69, 70-79) at time of study enrollment.

27 Jul

Posted at 22:15h in Annals Internal Medicine, Author Interviews, Brigham & Women's - Harvard, Hormone Therapy, Sexual Health, Testosterone
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_34884" align="alignleft" width="160"]Carl G Streed Jr. M.D. Pronouns: he, him, his, himself Fellow, Division General Internal Medicine & Primary Care Brigham & Women’s Hospital Dr. Streed[/caption] Carl G Streed Jr. M.D. Pronouns: he, him, his, himself Fellow, Division General Internal Medicine & Primary Care Brigham & Women’s Hospital  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: Recent reports estimate that 0.6% of adults in the United States, or approximately 1.4 million persons, identify as transgender. Despite gains in rights and media attention, the reality is that transgender persons experience health disparities, and a dearth of research and evidence-based guidelines remains regarding their specific health needs. The lack of research to characterize cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD risk factors in transgender populations receiving cross-sex hormone therapy (CSHT) limits appropriate primary and specialty care. As with hormone therapy in cisgender persons (that is, those whose sex assigned at birth aligns with their gender identity), existing research in transgender populations suggests that CVD risk factors are altered by CSHT.

20 Nov

Posted at 13:03h in Author Interviews, Endocrinology, Hormone Therapy, JCEM, Menopause, Osteoporosis
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_29927" align="alignleft" width="131"]Dr Georgios Papadakis FMH, Médecin InternenMédecin assistant Service d'endocrinologie, diabétologie et métabolisme Lausanne Dr Georgios Papadakis[/caption] Dr Georgios Papadakis FMH, Médecin InternenMédecin assistant Service d'endocrinologie, diabétologie et métabolisme Lausanne MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: This study was mainly motivated by the absence of available data on the effect of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) on bone microarchitecture, as well as contradictory results of previous trials regarding the persistence of a residual effect after MHT withdrawal. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 1279 postmenopausal women aged 50-80 years participating in OsteoLaus cohort of Lausanne University Hospital. Participants had bone mineral density (BMD) measurement by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip, as well as assessment of trabecular bone score (TBS), a textural index that evaluates pixel grey-level variations in the lumbar spine DXA image, providing an indirect index of trabecular microarchitecture.

29 Oct

Posted at 01:18h in Author Interviews, Endocrinology, Hormone Therapy, JCEM
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Mario Philip Reyes Festin, MD World Health Organization Geneva, Switzerland.  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Researchers are trying to identify a hormonal male contraceptive that is effective, reversible, safe, acceptable, affordable, and available. Most of the research has been done either by groups of university researchers. However, in the 1990s, WHO undertook two multi-center, multinational studies. The studies were unable to provide evidence to support the development of a commercially viable, and user-acceptable product.

15 Oct

Posted at 13:04h in Alzheimer's - Dementia, Author Interviews, Hormone Therapy, JAMA, Prostate Cancer, University of Pennsylvania
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Kevin T. Nead, MD, MPhil Resident, Radiation Oncology Perelman School of Medicine Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Androgen deprivation therapy is a primary treatment for prostate cancer and works by lowering testosterone levels. There is a strong body of research suggesting that low testosterone can negatively impact neurovascular health and function. We were therefore interested in whether androgen deprivation therapy is associated with dementia through an adverse impact on underlying neurovascular function.

19 Sep

Posted at 18:27h in Author Interviews, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Hormone Therapy
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Jon Rasmussen, MD, PhD fellow Department of Internal Medicine Herlev Hospital, Denmark MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids has become highly prevalent among young men involved in recreational strength training. A recent meta-analysis estimated that approximately 18% of young men involved recreational strength training abuse anabolic steroids. Well-known adverse effects following abuse of anabolic steroids include hypogonadism (For those who have interest, we have recently published a paper concerning this issue, it can be read and downloaded at: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0161208). Yet, we have a poor understanding on the adverse effects these compounds might have on the metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

13 Jul

Posted at 20:46h in Alzheimer's - Dementia, Author Interviews, Endocrinology, Hormone Therapy, Mayo Clinic, Menopause
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_26098" align="alignleft" width="125"]Kejal Kantarci, M.D. M.S. Professor of Radiology Division of Neuroradiology Dr. Kejal Kantarci[/caption] Kejal Kantarci, M.D. M.S. Professor of Radiology Division of Neuroradiology MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: A rapid decline in estrogen with menopause may be associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease risk in women. This study was conducted in newly postmenopausal women who received 17β-Estradiol via a skin patch or conjugated equine estrogen orally or placebo. Those who received 17β-Estradiol patch had reduced β-amyloid deposits, the plaques found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease, three years after the end of the hormone therapies. In the study, women with APOE e4 — one form of the most common gene associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease — who received the 17β-Estradiol patch had lower levels of β-amyloid deposits than those who received placebo.

08 Jan

Posted at 00:49h in Author Interviews, Depression, Hormone Therapy, JAMA, Menopause
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Eleni Petridou, MD, MPH, PhD Marios K. Georgakis, MD Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics School of Medicine National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Athens, Greece Medical Research: What is the background for this study? Response: Previous epidemiologic studies have shown that women during their reproductive life are more vulnerable (by a factor of two) to depression than men; this has been particularly evident during peaks of intense fluctuations of ovarian hormones, like the premenstrual, perimenopausal and postpartum periods. Endogenous (natural) female sex hormones, however, have been shown in various experimental studies to possess neuroprotective and anti-depressive properties. Production of these hormones is diminished after menopause; therefore, age at menopause can be used as a proxy of the lifetime exposure to endogenous hormones. Our research hypothesis was whether longer exposure to endogenous sex hormones has a cumulative anti-depressive action, i.e., whether later age at menopause decreases the risk for postmenopausal depression.