Canadian scientists from the University of Calgary found that taking hormonal pills in women over 45 increases the risk of hypertension more than other methods of hormonal contraception (such as transdermal or vaginal drugs). The results of the study are published in the journal Hypertension.

It is known that after menopause, a woman's body produces less estrogen and progesterone, which can increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart failure. Hormonal drugs are often prescribed to patients to mitigate risks and symptoms, and as a means of contraception. Previous work has shown that hormone therapy can reduce the risk of CVD in women younger than 60 years of age during menopause.

Now the authors decided to test the effect of different types of hormonal drugs on CVD. To do this, they studied data from about 112,000 women aged 45 and over. Subjects received hormone therapy for at least six months between 2008 and 2019 by three different routes of administration: oral (by mouth), transdermal (through the skin), and vaginally.

The analysis showed that women taking oral estrogen therapy had a 14 percent higher risk of developing high blood pressure compared to those taking transdermal estrogen, and a 19 percent higher risk of developing hypertension compared to those using vaginal methods. The most pronounced correlation was observed among women younger than 70 years.