Hormone Therapy in Postmenopausal Women

ABSTRACT

Until the results of Women's Health Initiative (WHI) was released in July 2002, hormone replacement after menopause had been thought to be the most effective way to manage menopause-related symptoms and to prevent longterm related diseases including osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer's disease. A significant increase in breast cancer incidence (by 26%) brought the early termination of the WHI study. After an assessment of the overall risk-benefit ratio, the WHI investigators failed to demonstrate beneficial effects of the combined hormone therapy. This article reviews the results of several large randomized controlled studies and discusses the risks and benefits of hormone therapy.