ArcaMax

The medical community at large is finally coming around to understanding how beneficial hormone therapy (HT) can be for women, even many years after their periods have stopped completely (even if recommendations still say only within 10 years of your last period). But until now, they weren't on board with what else I have been recommending for decades (yes, really that long!): That women take low-dose aspirin with HT to avoid blood clots.

Now, it's confirmed that a daily aspirin can be essential and always is a good idea for extra protection. A new study in The BMJ found that for women taking oral HT, regardless of dose or duration, there's an increased risk of blood clots. And, if they are taking a high dose of estrogen (the Danish researchers used estradiol, a specific form of bio-identical estrogen) with or without progesterone -- 1 milligram a day or more for at least a year -- there is a measurably increased risk of stroke and heart attack. (Purely transdermal HT didn't convey those risks.)

The conclusions reached? Your risks from oral HT may depend on the therapy prescribed (form of estrogen and/or progesterone), method of use (oral or transdermal), dosage, and duration of treatment. And I would add: whether or not you're taking a low-dose aspirin.

So, if you're contending with symptoms of menopause, talk to your doctor about starting HT therapy with a low-dose aspirin daily. And tune into the info in my upcoming book, "YOU: Getting Older: The Owner's Manual for Your Golden Years."

Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at drmikerealage@gmail.com.

(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.