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The decision to stop one component of the Women's Health Initiative has brought us an important step closer to answering vital questions about hormone therapy, which is used by nearly 40% of postmenopausal women in this country to relieve symptoms of menopause. Scientists have weighed both the risks and benefits of the combined therapy of estrogen plus progestin, and have concluded it could cause more harm than good. Millions of American women are now reconsidering whether to start or continue this commonly used combined therapy.
First and foremost, women should discuss this finding with their health care provider. Second, women should be aware that it is no longer recommended to take this combined therapy to prevent heart disease, and should discuss with their health provider other ways to protect the heart. Third, women who are taking this combined therapy to help prevent osteoporosis should ask their health providers if they are good candidates for alternate treatment, based on their personal health profiles. Last, it is important to understand that this finding does not affect women who have had their uterus removed by hysterectomy, who are usually prescribed estrogen alone. Those findings are not yet available.
Taking hormone therapy is one of the most important health decisions a woman in mid-life can make. As research findings are released, we can use them to help us have an open discussion with our HCPs about what is best for our health.
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