Hormone Therapy News

The Endocrine Society released a new clinical practice guideline this week outlining recommended care for transgender individuals, along with a position statement calling on federal and private insurers to cover such interventions as prescribed by a physician.

The decision by President Donald Trump to reinstitute a ban on transgender adults serving in the U.S. military, citing “tremendous medical costs,” has brought criticism from endocrinologists, who are quick to note that any treatment costs related to transgender care are far from excessive.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with a combination oral contraceptive with spironolactone were not at increased risk for metabolic or cardiovascular complications, according to findings published in the European Journal of Endocrinology.

All-cause mortality and death rates from cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other causes do not significantly differ among women assigned to receive hormone therapy for 5 to 7 years compared with placebo, and followed over 18 years, according to findings published in JAMA.

Children with previously untreated growth hormone deficiency who received growth hormone therapy for 1 year experienced improvements in cardiac structure, body composition and cardiopulmonary functional capacity, study data show.

Postmenopausal women with obesity, diabetes or breast cancer are less likely to use hormone therapy compared with their healthier counterparts, according to study findings published in Menopause.

Sexual function was modestly, but significantly, improved by treatment with transdermal estrogen therapy in early postmenopausal women with low sexual function compared with placebo, according to research published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Menopausal women may have improved sleep quality when using hormone therapy, which may lessen severity of vasomotor symptoms, particularly hot flashes and night sweats, study data show.

Women who experience clinical manifestations of estrogen deficiency during or after breast cancer treatment should consider lifestyle modification and nonpharmacologic therapies to manage bothersome menopausal symptoms, according to a review published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Postmenopausal women who use vaginal estrogen are not at increased risk for cardiovascular events or cancer compared with those who do not use vaginal estrogen, suggesting the safety and efficacy of the therapy, according to findings published in Menopause.