Many women are concerned about menopause and some of the potential post menopausal conditions. Osteoporosis is one highly publicized concern. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can lend itself to this and other conditions along with many undesirable symptoms of menopause itself. Several studies propose that estrogen, which is used in hormone replacement therapy, can cause inflammatory conditions of the gall bladder.
In May 2000 the Canadian Medical Association Journal concluded that there was an increased risk of cholecystectomies and appendectomies after starting hormones used in most hormone replacement therapies. The study also cited a connection with various inflammatory diseases such as pancreatitis, lupus, asthma, temporomandibular joint pain and abdominal pain. One study identified an increased risk of cholecystitis (pain or inflammation of the gall bladder) among post menopausal women who underwent hormone replacement with the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The study concluded that these women have a doubled risk of having surgery to remove the gall bladder, or a cholecystectomy.
The estrogen is associated with several factors that directly influence the onset of inflammation. The use of estrogen can cause cholecystitis more often than the formation of gall stones. This hormone may be associated with an increased risk of surgical procedures because of its potential to cause inflammatory diseases.
The relationship between the onset of hormone replacement therapy with estrogen and the realization of cholecystectomy in postmenopausal women was recently confirmed by Canadian researchers. The benefit of hormone therapy for postmenopausal women remains controversial.
The study included around 800,000 women who were over the age of 65. They were selected from among residents in a region in Ontario, Canada. After the start of hormone replacement therapy the incidence of cholecystectomies and appendectomies were compared.
The treatment with estrogen after menopause is complicated by differing responses of the body. These bodily responses may contribute to the occurrence of pain or inflammation, or both. Initial data gathered by researchers suggests that hormone replacement therapy may be related to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This is because of its inflammatory effects. It may also affect osteoarthritis, which is a disease of the joints.
After intense statistical analysis, the relationship between the use of estrogen and incidence of cholecystectomies was confirmed. It also indicated an association between the use of the hormone and onset of appendicitis.
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