Webinar: Hormones, Blood Clots, and Heart Health – What’s Menopause Got to Do With It?

This is a recorded version of the patient support group, hosted by the North American Thrombosis Forum (NATF), titled, Hormones, Blood Clots, and Heart Health – What’s Menopause Got to Do With It?  This was presented live on October 15, 2024, and jointly promoted by NATF, WomenHeart, and FWGBD. Please scroll all the way down this page to view the archived program.

Webinar Date: 10/15/2024
Estimated Time to complete: 1 hour
Format: Archived Webinar
Target Audience: Patients on anticoagulants who have the ability to menstruate

Key Takeaways:

• Menopause and blood clots 
  • Menopause raises risks for blood clots and heart disease, especially with early menopause (before 40).
• Hormone therapy  
  • Transdermal estrogen is safer for clotting risks than oral pills. Vaginal estrogen is generally safe but should be discussed with doctors in certain cases.
  • IUDs with progestin can be a safer alternative to oral contraceptives for managing heavy bleeding in perimenopause.
• Lifestyle and prevention
  • Healthy habits like Mediterranean-style nutrition, weight management, and regular monitoring of cholesterol and blood pressure are important to optimizing both heart health and the menopause transition. 
  • Avoid smoking and regular alcohol use to reduce risks of clots and heart disease. 
• Support and Awareness 
  • Building a support network is key during recovery from blood clots or cardiovascular events.
• Developments in treatment 
  • Non-hormonal treatments offer alternatives for women who can’t take hormones.
  • Bioidentical hormones are popular but not as rigorously tested (or recommended) as traditional hormone therapies.

Faculty:
Janice L. Bacon, MD, FACOG (FWGBD Board Member)
Jean Connors, MD (FWGBD Research Advisory Committee)
Margo Minissian, PhD, ACNP

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