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Oxford Textbook of Medicine (5 ed.)

Edited by David A. Warrell, Timothy M. Cox, John D. Firth

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Latest update

The May 2013 update sees updates to chapters focusing on Respiratory Medicine and Haematology.

Respiratory Medicine updates include substantial updates to key chapters and new material on a wide range of topics including: new bronchoscopic techniques for early detection of lung cancer, specific causes of effusion and pleural disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Haematology updates include extensive revisions of key chapters on chronic myeloid leukaemia, aplastic anaemia and bone marrow failure disorders, and blood transfusion, with new information on a wide range of matters.

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Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Print Publication Date:
May 2010
Print ISBN-13:
9780199204854
Published to Oxford Medicine:
May 2010
DOI:
10.1093/med/9780199204854.001.1

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Disclaimer

Oxford University Press makes no representation, express or implied, that the drug dosages in this book are correct. Readers must therefore always check the product information and clinical procedures with the most up to date published product information and data sheets provided by the manufacturers and the most recent codes of conduct and safety regulations. The authors and the publishers do not accept responsibility or legal liability for any errors in the text or for the misuse or misapplication of material in this work. Except where otherwise stated, drug dosages and recommendations are for the non-pregnant adult who is not breastfeeding.

Contents

Benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy

Chapter:
Benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy
Author(s):

J.C. Stevenson

DOI:
10.1093/med/9780199204854.003.1420

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) comprises oestrogen with or without progestogen.

Benefits—HRT is the most effective treatment for the relief of menopausal symptoms and for the primary prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis. There are also possible benefits for coronary heart disease, colorectal cancer, and neurocognitive function, but these are yet to be established.

Risks—the main risk of HRT is perhaps a small increase in incidence of breast cancer, but this risk may be confined to women with a long exposure to certain oestrogen–progestogen combinations. There is a small increased risk of stroke if HRT is initiated in older women and a small increased risk of venous thromboembolism with oral therapy.

Balance of benefits and risks—given appropriately, the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks. The choice and dose of therapeutic agents should be tailored to suit the individual case, but usually the therapy used should be the one that the patient finds most acceptable. Risks and benefits should be reviewed annually, but no limit on duration of treatment need be set.

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