High Estrogen Levels Linked to Greater Stroke Risks
by Dana Burnett
Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the United States and currently on the rise in menopausal women. Nearly three-quarters of strokes occur in people over 65 years old and are more likely to occur in older women than older men. Stroke risks are correlated to several factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and obesity. For postmenopausal women, another risk factor may be hormone imbalances and high estrogen levels.
Data from an osteoporosis study conducted in the late 1980’s was reviewed to understand stroke risk factors. The study recruited 9,700 healthy postmenopausal women, in which 247 of the women suffered a stroke. Women with extremely high levels of estradiol in their blood were 2.3 times more likely to have a stroke, when compared to women with lower estradiol levels. Women that had a waist size larger than 34 inches also had a greater stroke risk. High levels of estrogen in the body cause greater fat storage around the midsection.
Researchers suggested that reducing the waist size could lower stroke risks in women. Menopausal women can reduce estrogen levels and balance hormones through hormone replacement therapy. Natural hormone therapies, including bioidentical hormones, are superior to conventional therapies. Women that use conventional hormone therapies are more likely to suffer a stroke, as studies indicate conjugated equine estrogens increase cardiovascular ailments and stroke risks.
References
Lee JS, Yaffe K, Lui L, Cauley J, Taylor B, et al. Prospective study of endogenous circulating estradiol and risk of stroke in older women. Arch Neurol. 2010; 67(2):195-201.
Rossouw E. Anderson GL, Prentice RL, et al. Risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin in healthy postmenopausal women: principal results from the Women’s Health Initiative randomized controlled trial, JAMA. 2002; 288:321–333.
Schneider C, Jick SS, Meier CR. Risk of cardiovascular outcomes in users of estradiol/dydrogesterone or other HRT preparations. Climateric. 2009 Jun; 26:1-269.
Viscoli CM, Brass LM, Kernan WN, Sarrel PM, et al. A clinical trial of estrogen replacement therapy after ischemic stroke. N Engl J Med. 2001;345:1243-1249.
We recommend estradiol (bioidentical) to achieve levels of 60 to 90 as recommended by Dr. Rouzier. Are these levels high? We see very few menopausal women who have high estradiol levels. If they take synthetic estrogens like premarin, their levels tend to be around 50 to 90 or so with CPL.
Therefore, I am confused as to whether giving estradiol to post-menopausal women increases their risk of heart disease. We have always been taught that it protects the heart. So WHAT IS “EXTREMELY HIGH LEVELS?” HOW TO MENOPAUSAL WOMEN OBTAIN THESE HIGH LEVELS UNLESS TAKING ESTROGEN? Are low levels therefore protective. Does not seem to make sense.