Menopausal hormone therapy post WHI: a window of opportunity?

Abstract

The Women’s Health Initiative randomised controlled trials that were mainly of relatively older postmenopausal women, reported that menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) has adverse consequences including an increased risk of breast cancer, coronary heart disease (CHD), venous thromboembolism (VTE) and stroke. Further investigation has shown that in healthy younger women, during the “window of opportunity” from the menopause to the age of about 60 years, MHT is not harmful and apart from the relief of menopausal symptoms may be of significant benefit in reducing the incidence of CHD, osteoporosis and possibly of Alzheimer’s disease.

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Forum • October 2013