HRT 'will not beat the blues'

Women who take hormone replacement therapy in the hope it will make them happier were warned that it will not help them beat mood swings and depression.

A major new study claims to shatter the belief that the treatment boosts energy and sex drive, and helps menopausal women beat the blues.

The verdict will come as a blow to many of the 2.5 million women in Britain on HRT. Many take it in the hope that it will improve their mood as well as tackle the physical symptoms associated with the menopause.

However, some experts now believe HRT does nothing to improve a woman's emotional state and say sufferers must look for other solutions. The study did not assess how effective HRT is in tackling such physical symptoms as hot flushes, painful muscles and joints and night sweats. Instead, researchers focused on whether the treatment promotes emotional wellbeing.

Dr Jennifer Hays at the Centre for Women's Health in Texas, who led the new study, said: "If you are taking this just because you think you might be missing out on something if you don't, you should stop. Our research suggests there is no benefit in terms of general health, energy, mental health, depression, memory or sexual functioning."

A third of women between the ages of 50 and 64 take HRT in Britain to replace the oestrogen lost at the menopause and beyond. Supporters describe it as a miracle solution to physical and emotional problems triggered by the menopause.

Well-known women who have taken it include diet and fitness guru Rosemary Conley, TV presenter Angela Rippon and feminist Germaine Greer. However, the treatment has become increasingly controversial following evidence appearing to show that it can increase the risk of breast cancer, potentially fatal blood clots and strokes.

The Texas study, in America's New England Journal of Medicine, looked at 16,608 women aged between 50 and 79.

They were asked about their energy and happiness levels, sex drive and sleep. The majority had been taking the combination of oestrogen and progestin for a year, though 1,500 had been on it for three years. Dr Hays said: "There were no significant benefits in terms of any quality-of-life outcomes. For most women, combination oestrogen and progestin therapy is not going to make a difference in their lives."

Even the youngest women, who were expected to respond best to the treatment, did not feel happier. Britain's HRT Aware Group reacted with dismay at the findings, but claimed many women have unrealistic expectations.