Postmenopausal hormone therapy does not improve muscle mass

Takeaway

• Hormone therapy (HT) in the menopausal period does not significantly improve muscle mass.

Why this matters

• Muscle loss has been associated with menopause and declining oestrogen levels.
• Decline in age-related muscle mass is associated with increased risk for disability, functional impairments, longer hospital stays, and increased risk for mortality.

Key results

• HT was not significantly associated with improved muscle mass compared with unexposed participants: HT users lost 0.06 kg less lean body mass vs unexposed controls (P=.26).

Study design

• Systematic review and meta-analysis (12 randomised clinical trials, n=4474 in meta-analysis).
• Studies were included if postmenopausal women received HT and lean body mass or fat-free mass was measured as an outcome.
• Primary study outcome was the overall absolute change in lean body mass.
• Funding: None disclosed.

Limitations

• Limitations related to limitations of original studies.