title: Conjugated estrogens for the treatment of menopausal symptoms: a review of safety data.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) are widely used for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, such as vasomotor symptoms and vulvovaginal atrophy, and for the prevention of bone loss, in postmenopausal women. The safety profile of CEE has been extensively published over the past 20 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from randomized controlled trials and from observational studies on the effects of CEE on the risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer or hyperplasia, other cancers, cardiovascular outcomes, and cognitive function are reviewed. When used alone, CEE are not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and may be associated with reduced mortality. The risk of cardiovascular events with CEE may be reduced in women who are more recently postmenopausal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Numerous clinical studies have evaluated the safety of CEE. The data reviewed in this article describe the breast, endometrial, and cardiovascular safety of unopposed CEE. International recommendations describe CEE as the menopausal symptom treatment of choice, particularly in young or recently postmenopausal hysterectomized women.
authors.affiliation: Pfizer, Inc. , 500 Arcola Rd, Room B-4207, Collegeville, PA 19426 , USA +1 484 865 4121 ; +1 484 865 8161 ; Sebastian.Mirkin@pfizer.com.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mirkin
authors.forename: Barry S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Komm
authors.forename: James H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Pickar
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D017698:Postmenopause; D012306:Risk; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)