Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Risk of Cholecystectomy

Among menopausal women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the risk of cholecystectomy was increased among those using oral estrogen therapy, especially oral regimens without a progestagen.

This is the finding of a prospective cohort study that assessed the use of different regimens of HRT among more than 70 000 menopausal women. Complicated gallstone disease should be added to the list of potential adverse events to be considered when balancing the benefits and risks associated with HRT, say the authors.

Read Menopausal hormone therapy and risk of cholecystectomy: a prospective study based on the French E3N cohort, March 18, 2013.