Hormone Replacement Therapy

Important  information for post-menopausal women considering hormone replacement therapy to prevent chronic conditions. While estrogen alone and estrogen plus progestin reduced the risk for fractures…the data show use of these hormones still increased risk for stroke, blood clots, gallbladder disease, and urinary incontinence. The numbers showed that estrogen alone decreased risk for breast cancer…but estrogen plus progestin increased risk for breast cancer.

Bottom line, the task force recommends against the use of HRT for prevention of chronic conditions in postmenopausal women saying the risks are too high. This is the same recommendation it made in 2005. As always, consult with your doctor on what’s right for you.