title: Hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  For many years, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was considered an effective method of restoring the relative protection from coronary artery disease enjoyed by premenopausal women compared with men of similar age. This view has been supported by a substantial number of basic science and observational studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Results of recent randomized controlled trials have seriously challenged the concept of the protective value of HRT by showing that rather than decreasing the risk of coronary artery disease, HRT actually appears to increase it. In addition, it increases the risk for breast cancer, stroke, venous thromboembolism, and cholecystitis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Despite some benefits such as increased bone mineral density and decreased risk of fracture and colorectal cancer, these data suggest that the risks of HRT outweigh the benefits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HRT is no longer routinely recommended for prevention of chronic disease. We present the current scientific data, benefits, risks, and consequent clinical recommendations regarding HRT use in postmenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medical College of Ohio, 3065 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614-5807, USA. estaren@mco.edu
authors.forename: Edgar D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Staren
authors.forename: Shuab
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Omer
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein