Risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy.
Menopause, the permanent cessation of menstruation, is due to ovarian failure, which may lead to oestrogen deficiency diseases, particularly osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease. Mortality and morbidity caused by these conditions can be modified by using hormone replacement therapy, but the benefits of this therapy must be weighed against the increased risk of breast cancer and the symptomatic side-effects the treatment may cause. The combination of transdermal oestrogen and natural progesterone offers the most favourable risk-to-benefit profile.
de Lignières
B
B
Hôpital Necher, Paris, France.
MacGregor
E A
EA
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000523:psychology; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000517:prevention & control; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018570:Risk Assessment
D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol