Prempro

After less than five years - amidst much media attention - the trial was halted.  The treated women had an increased rate of heart attack, stroke, pulmonary embolism, and clots in the deep veins as well as an increase in the incidence of breast cancer.

But there was some good news, the treated women had fewer osteoporotic fractures and were less likely to develop colon cancer.Was it the Premarin (Prem) or the Provera (Pro) that was to blame for some of these risks?

Possibly it was the Provera.

If you add Provera to Premarin when treating female monkeys whose ovaries have been removed, the Provera opposes the ability of the estrogen to limit plaque formation in the arteries.

Natural types of progesterones have not been found to have this negative effect.

In studies in female humans (not just monkeys), researches have found that Premarin and other estrogens lower bad cholesterol (LDL), increase good cholesterol (HDL), and improve the ability of vessels to dilate so blood flow is facilitated.

Provera blunts these cardiovascular benefits.  And while we're discussing side effects of hormone replacement, let's go to the issue of breast cancer.

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