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Hormone replacement therapy: to use or not to use?
Author(s) -
Baber Rodney J,
O'Hara Justine L,
Boyle Frances M
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2003.tb05389.x
Subject(s) - hormone replacement therapy (female to male) , medicine , testosterone (patch)
The main indication for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is to control menopausal symptoms and improve quality of life. Ideally, withdrawal of HRT should be attempted after 4–5 years of therapy. HRT reduces fracture risk and remains appropriate therapy for osteoporosis, particularly in women with symptoms. HRT is not appropriate for primary or secondary cardioprotection. HRT leads to a small increase in breast cancer incidence, which increases with duration of therapy and age. HRT increases the risk of thromboembolism. Patient management and therapy should be reviewed annually with risk–benefit counselling.