Hormone Replacement Therapy : Yes Or No ?

Women wondering whether to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) got a clear answer from the findings of this study , published in a special edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association. The answer is : Don’t, if the goal is to lower the risk of heart disease and other chronic illness.

The study shows healthy women who take combined hormone replacement therapy after menopause increase their risk of breast cancer, stroke, blood clots and heart disease. ” The findings show that it doesn’t work. In fact, the therapy increses the chance of a heart attack or stroke. Additionally, it increases the risk of cancer and blood clots,” said Dr. Jacques Rossouw who helped lead the study.

On the good side the hormones did prevent hip fractures from osteoporosis, and lowered the risk of colon cancer. But the study researchers cautioned that there are safer alternatives that women could consider using instead.