Hormone Replacment Therapy

In The News • Hormone Replacment Therapy • Unclogging Advances Heart Care Women's Issues • Women's Symptoms • Heart Disease and HRT

The decision to stop one component of the Women's Health Initiative has brought us an important step closer to answering vital questions about hormone replacement therapy, which is used by nearly 40% of postmenopausal women in this country to relieve symptoms of menopause. Scientists have weighed both the risks and benefits of the combined therapy of estrogen plus progestin, and have concluded it could cause more harm than good. Millions of American women are now reconsidering whether to start or continue this commonly used combined therapy.

First and foremost, women should discuss this finding with their health care provider. Second, women should be aware that it is no longer recommended to take this combined therapy to prevent heart disease, and should discuss with their health provider other ways to protect the heart. Third, women who are taking this combined therapy to help prevent osteoporosis should ask their health providers if they are good candidates for alternate treatment, based on their personal health profiles.

August 20, 2002:
More evidence HRT doesn't cut heart risk: study

August 14, 2002:
US officials to reassess value of hormone therapy

July 16, 2002:
Increased Risk of Ovarian Cancer is Linked to Estrogen Replacement Therapy

July 9, 2002:
NHLBI Stops Trial of Estrogen Plus Progestin Due to Increased Breast Cancer Risk, Lack of Overall Benefit

July 9, 2002:
Statement on the Estrogen Plus Progestin Trial of The Women's Health Initiative by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

For More Information

• Information from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
• Information from the Women's Health Initiative Participant Website
• Risks and Benefits of Estrogen Plus Progestin in Healthy Postmenopausal Women
• Failure of Estrogen Plus Progestin Therapy for Prevention
• Frequently Asked Questions about Hormone Replacement Therapy
• Frequently Asked Questions about Menopause
• Frequently Asked Questions about Osteoporosis
• Frequently Asked Questions about Aging and Women Getting Older
• Frequently Asked Questions about Raloxifene