HRT Update
Good news about HRT: A new review of studies has concluded that the benefits of HRT probably outweigh the risks for many younger women. After combining data from 30 trials involving almost 27,000 women for an average of 4.5 years, researchers found that, in women younger than 60, HRT reduced the risk of dying from any cause by 39%, compared with women who did not use HRT. "These data indicate that a large distinction needs to be made between the risks for women who start hormone therapy around the time of menopause and those who wait until they are older," said Edwin E. Salpeter, of Cornell University, who led the study with daughter Shelly Salpeter, of Stanford University. Many women have been reluctant to use HRT since the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study concluded in July 2002 that the risks outweigh the benefits for older women.
For Men Only
Men who suffer from impotence may benefit more from the combination of a testosterone gel and a drug like Viagra, compared to using an erection pill alone. According to a study in the August issue of the Journal of Urology, the two-part approach improved erectile function and overall sexual satisfaction in men with erectile dysfunction and low testosterone. Patients who complain of impotence should be given a blood test to check testosterone levels, said Ridwan Shabsigh, lead investigator and associate professor of urology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Healthy and Fit
Scientists are working to figure out why calorie-restriction (CR) diets might contribute to longevity. According to Harvard researcher David Sinclair, quoted in Time magazine, starving the body puts it under mild, constant stress, enabling it to resist the more severe stresses that make cells age. A second theory held by gerontologist Richard Weindruch, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, suggests that a minimum of body fat appears to protect against a variety of illnesses.
Quote of the Month
"We turn, not older with years, but newer every day."
- Emily Dickinson
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Q&A
Q: Is there any connection between heart disease and mood?
A: Research suggests that high levels of homocysteine-a byproduct of protein metabolism that is linked to heart disease, stroke, and dementia-may increase a person's risk for developing depression. Diseases of the heart and circulatory system, including diabetes and high blood pressure, also may be associated with other cognitive deficits.
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Remember Sex?
Middle age need not be the end of your sex life. For menopausal women, freedom from childcare responsibilities and birth control worries can renew their sexuality. If you find you're rarely "in the mood," however, make sure that physical problems are not the barrier. Kegel exercises (squeezing the muscles that stop the flow of urine, up to 100 times per day) can improve sexual pleasure as well as incontinence. A prescription estrogen cream or vaginal ring that releases estradiol also may be needed for pain resulting from thin and inelastic vaginal tissues. In addition, small amounts of testosterone can boost libido for women, along with counteracting fatigue and improving muscle tone.
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