menopause

i have had hep c for 30 years did not know untill i got a blood test because i was at risk having had a blood transfusion i am concerned because i am on the menopause that my liver might deteriate i have not been offered a biopsy just a scan which said everything was okay had a fibroscan which showed 6.9 not really sure if that is high have decided not to treat yet does anybody know if it is the case that women start to get fibrosis when the menopause starts at the moment i feel well but i know you can feel well but still have liver damage i live in england

[Myown]

Hi, I don't know the answer to your question, but my post will bump you back up to the top. Hopefully someone will have an answer to your question.

Wish you the best.

[hairtamer]

I progressed I think quite a bit in 8 yrs because I chose to do menopause naturally.  Here is a Liver Hope newsletter article that I got that enlightened me to do tx now.  I hope this helps.
His Blessings,
Rose

The Long-term Benefit of Estrogen Exposure on the Progression of Liver Fibrosis in Women Infected with Hepatitis C

Female sex is a protective factor for the progression of fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Experimental data suggest that estrogens may have an antifibrotic effect.

The objective of this study in Paris, France was to evaluate the influence of past pregnancies, oral contraceptives, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on liver fibrosis progression in HCV-infected women.

Four hundred seventy-two HCV-infected women received a survey regarding prior pregnancies, menopause, and the use of oral contraceptives and HRT.

The impact of these variables on liver fibrosis and its progression were evaluated using multivariate analyses considering all putative confounding factors.

Two hundred one women completed the survey (43% response rate), 157 of whom had an estimated date of HCV infection (96 postmenopausal women, 96 women with previous pregnancies, and 105 women with past use of oral contraceptives).

Through multivariate analyses, the estimated rate of fibrosis progression was higher in postmenopausal and nulliparous women and was associated with greater histological activity.

Prior use of oral contraceptives had no significant influence.

Among postmenopausal women, the estimated rate of fibrosis progression was lower in women who received HRT compared with untreated patients and was similar to that of premenopausal women.

The French authors conclude, “Menopause appears to be associated with accelerated liver fibrosis progression in HCV-infected women, an effect that may be prevented by HRT.”

“Pregnancies may have a beneficial impact on the long-term progression of liver fibrosis.”

Reference

V Di Martino and others. Progression of liver fibrosis in women infected with hepatitis C: Long-term benefit of estrogen exposure. Hepatology 40(6): 1426-1433. December 2004.