Choosing whether or not to use postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an important health decision all women face as they approach menopause. As with taking any treatment the decision involves carefully balancing the possible risks and benefits.
We now have information from large studies including healthy women and those with established coronary artery disease (previous heart attack or angina). These studies have shed considerable light on many issues, particular with respect to heart disease and strokes, and have sparked serious concerns and questions regarding the indications and safety of HRT for postmenopausal women.
1. Is HRT dangerous?
HRT is not dangerous. There are certain risks now well recognized with its use however and these risks need to be considered in every women taking HRT or thinking about starting HRT. The Women’s Health Initiative looked at health risks and benefits in a large group of healthy postmenopausal women taking HRT compared to a similar group of women taking placebo. It was stopped early as the risks with taking combination HRT outweighed the benefits after four years of use. The results indicated that women on combined HRT had an increased number cardiac events, strokes, breast cancer and blood clots. There was no difference in death rates between the users and nonusers.
