Hormone therapy increases risk of urinary incontinence

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A clinical trial shows how hormone replacement therapy increases the risk of urinary incontinence among post-menopausal women.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) - either estrogen alone or combined with progestin - has long been used to relieve menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Recent research, from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Study for instance, has shown that HRT does not protect against chronic health problems like heart disease - indeed, it may increase the risk.

Researchers at Wayne State University School of Medicine and elsewhere now look at the impact of HRT on a common female condition - urinary incontinence. Previously, HRT has been thought to improve incontinence and has been prescribed for this purpose. The current study, drawn from WHI data, shows the reverse is true.

Stress incontinence occurs through pressure on the bladder from coughing, sneezing or lifting. Urge incontinence is linked to involuntary contractions of the bladder. In this study, HRT increased stress and urge incontinence and mixed forms of the condition among women who were free of incontinence at the start of the study. Among women who already suffered from incontinence, HRT made it worse. There are other treatments for incontinence so doctors should not be prescribing HRT for this condition.

Source
Journal of the American Medical Association 23rd February 2005 Volume 293 pages 935-948

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