Review: Key findings from the Women’s Health Initiative studies on postmenopausal interventions – JAMA

The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) studied the impact of various interventions on postmenopausal women aged 50-79, using data from 161,808 participants between 1993 and 2018. The findings suggest that hormone therapy, specifically with conjugated equine estrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate, does not reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, dementia, or other chronic conditions in postmenopausal women. It is, however, effective for managing severe menopausal symptoms when initiated before age 60 in women without contraindications. The trials also concluded that universal supplementation of calcium and vitamin D does not effectively prevent fractures and should be limited to those not meeting dietary intake recommendations. Furthermore, a low-fat diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains did not reduce the incidence of breast or colorectal cancer, though it may decrease breast cancer mortality rates, indicating the need for further investigation.

Reference (link to free full-text for a limited period):

Manson JE et al. (2024). The Women’s Health Initiative Randomized Trials and Clinical Practice: A Review. JAMA, Published online May 1, 2024. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.6542.