It is generally agreed by many physicians that the primary reason for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is symptom relief from menopause, with less emphasis on using hormone therapy for disease prevention. It is important that the woman know all risks and benefits associated with HRT and reminded that the risk for breast cancer does increase naturally for all women as they age, as does the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. (more...)

A recent study, called the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), found that risks outweigh benefits. The WHI found that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) drugs caused increases in breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. The risk to an individual woman may be small, but the number of cases occurring in the population at large is significant. The study concludes that the risks outweigh the drugs' actual benefits. Benefits include a small decrease in hip fractures and a decrease in cases of colorectal cancer. The WHI study was released four years earlier than expected because of researchers' concerns. (more...)