Longevity & AgingStudy Links Estrogen-Only Menopause Therapy to Slightly Higher Autoimmune Risk
Menopausal hormone therapy may have different associations with autoimmune disease depending on the formulation. A retrospective study of more than 100,000 women found autoimmune diagnoses in 4.9% of estrogen-only users versus 4.5% of women using estrogen plus a progestogen—about four additional diagnoses per 1,000 women over the observation period. Five of 20 conditions studied showed statistically significant differences, including lupus, psoriasis, and multiple sclerosis. However, the absolute differences were small, and the findings cannot show that estrogen caused disease or that combined therapy prevented it. The study also did not compare either regimen with taking no hormones. Presented as a conference poster, the research needs replication and stronger testing. Women should discuss their medical history and treatment goals with their clinician rather than change hormone therapy based on these results alone.
