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Semin Vasc Med 2002; 2(2): 215-220
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-32044
Copyright © 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Hormone Replacement Therapy in Postmenopausal Women with Diabetes Mellitus

Abel Thijs1 , Coen D.A. Stehouwer1, 2
  • 1Department of General Internal Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands and
  • 2Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
06 June 2002 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus have a high risk of cardiovascular disease. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with estrogens with or without progestagens relieves many climacteric symptoms. Although hormone replacement in theory could have beneficial effects on cardiovascular morbidity, to date no randomized controlled clinical trial has shown positive results in this regard. There are few data with respect to diabetic postmenopausal women.

There is no basis for prescription of HRT to diabetic women if the aim is to lower cardiovascular morbidity. On the other hand, there is also no reason not to prescribe HRT to diabetic women to treat climacteric symptoms.

KEYWORDS

Hormone replacement therapy - diabetes mellitus - cardiovascular risk profile - postmenopausal women

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