More Details in Long-Term Hormone Study

Results of a new, longer-term study confirm that women should not take hormone replacement therapy to reduce any disease risk after menopause. But short-term treatment for menopause symptoms seems to be safe. The new results are consistent with advice doctors have been giving for about a decade. The new study is a follow-up to the Women’s Health Initiative. That study changed medical practice when it was published in 2002. The study was stopped early when it found that women who were randomly assigned to take estrogen and progestin had higher risks of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke and blood clots. They were compared with women taking placebo (fake) pills. A study of women taking estrogen alone found a slightly higher risk of blood clots and stroke. The new study looked at the women’s health after 13 years.