Human Hormones

Synthetic menopause beater possible

Back in 2002 there was a massive crash in the world of hormone therapy and treatment, when the Women’s Health Initiative brought forth the idea that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) could cause a serious medical risk for women.

The Initiative showed that women who took HRT had a higher likelihood of developing serious, life-threatening diseases. The upshot was that women who took a course in this therapy were showing higher incidences of breast cancer, heart attacks and strokes. Subsequently, the number of women who underwent a course in HRT nosedived from 2002 onwards.

This is of course a major issue on women’s health. While hot flushes are extremely uncomfortable (and one of the common symptoms of the menopause) they are not nearly as painful and serious as one of the other reported symptoms of the menopause, osteoporosis. The disease, which is commonly known as brittle bone disease, can shatter lives. It can lead to serious fractures, and one in three women who develop hip fractures from it dies.

Even after subsequent studies showed that the incidence of the serious diseases was actually lower than were previously thought, take-up of HRT has been reduced dramatically. This is of course no surprise, but the world is still left with the worrying symptoms of the menopause. So a solution to this problem has been needed for some time. Women may not want to undergo HRT due to the perceived risks, but they don’t want hot flushes and brittle bone disease either.

The race for an alternative to HRT has been heating up recently. It is worth billions, because any synthetic drug that can do what HRT does for the menopause is immediately going to be classed as a blockbuster, one that will make millions and affect millions of lives.

A team led by Tony Durst at the University of Ottawa has recently received a major grant ($267,000) so that they can carry out research into a synthetic replacement for HRT. Their aim is to create a synthetic hormone that can be used in place of hormone replacement therapy. If successful, they will be sitting on one of the most sought after drugs known to man.

Mr Durst and his team have already tested seventy molecules. A major drug company is now in the process of testing five of the compounds he and his team have put together since the testing period began.

They now plan to test their new compounds on organs such as the liver. Whatever happens, there is no denying that the problem of the menopause causes great discomfort and pain for women the world over. It is very rare for women to escape the symptoms. And considering that at least one of the symptoms can cause problems that lead to death, the world is waiting with bated breath.

It is a million dollar race. Mr Durst and his team are not the only people competing. All around the world right now a number of teams are looking for the answer. Progress is not expected for at least another four years.