title: Hormone replacement therapy: to use or not to use?
abstract: The main indication for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is to control menopausal symptoms and improve quality of life. Ideally, withdrawal of HRT should be attempted after 4-5 years of therapy. HRT reduces fracture risk and remains appropriate therapy for osteoporosis, particularly in women with symptoms. HRT is not appropriate for primary or secondary cardioprotection. HRT leads to a small increase in breast cancer incidence, which increases with duration of therapy and age. HRT increases the risk of thromboembolism. Patient management and therapy should be reviewed annually with risk-benefit counselling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. rbaber@mail.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: Rodney J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Baber
authors.forename: Justine L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: O'Hara
authors.forename: Frances M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Boyle
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000150:complications; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome