Hormone replacement therapy. Indications, benefits and risk.
BACKGROUND
The debate surrounding oestrogen replacement in peri and postmenopausal women has been made overly controversial by the dissemination of misinformation and subjective evaluation of available data both by proponents and opponents of such treatment.


OBJECTIVE
To review the indications, risks and benefits of oestrogen with and without progestin therapy in postmenopausal women.


CONCLUSIONS
When prescribed judiciously, such that undesirable side effects are avoided, many women well benefit overall from the use of oestrogen in the postmenopausal years. Clearly many of these benefits are long term in addition to providing acute symptomatic relief.
Davis
S
S
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne.
D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011372:Progestins / Q000494:pharmacology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology
D004967:Estrogens; D011372:Progestins