J Korean Med Assoc.  2005 Apr;48(4):377-384. 10.5124/jkma.2005.48.4.377.

Hormone Therapy in Postmenopausal Women

• Han KO

• KMID: 1905315
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2005.48.4.377

Abstract

Until the results of Women's Health Initiative (WHI) was released in July 2002, hormone replacement after menopause had been thought to be the most effective way to manage menopause-related symptoms and to prevent longterm related diseases including osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer's disease. A significant increase in breast cancer incidence (by 26%) brought the early termination of the WHI study. After an assessment of the overall risk-benefit ratio, the WHI investigators failed to demonstrate beneficial effects of the combined hormone therapy. This article reviews the results of several large randomized controlled studies and discusses the risks and benefits of hormone therapy.

Keyword

Hormone therapy; Postmenopausal women; Osteoporosis; Breast cancer; Cardiovascular disease

MeSH Terms

Alzheimer Disease
Breast Neoplasms
Cardiovascular Diseases
Female
Humans
Incidence
Menopause
Osteoporosis
Research Personnel
Risk Assessment
Women's Health