260124 Research on risks of menopause hormone therapy 3/3

In 2002, a study that was part of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), funded by NIH, was stopped early because participants who received a certain combination and dosage of estrogen with progesterone were found to have a significantly higher risk of stroke, heart attacks, breast cancer, dementia, urinary incontinence, and gallbladder disease. This study raised significant concerns at the time and caused many women to become wary of using hormones.

However, research reported since then found that younger women are at less risk and have more potential benefits than was suggested by the WHI study. The negative effects of the WHI hormone treatments mostly affected women who were over age 60 and postmenopausal. Newer hormone formulations seem to have less risk and may provide benefits that outweigh possible risks for certain women during the menopausal transition. Studies continue to evaluate the benefit, risk, and long-term safety of hormone therapy.

Before taking hormones to treat menopause symptoms, talk with your doctor about your medical and family history and any concerns or questions about taking hormones. If hormone therapy is right for you, it should be at the lowest dose, for the shortest period of time it remains effective, and in consultation with a doctor.

Read about this topic in Spanish. Lea sobre este tema en español.

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For more information on treatments for hot flashes

National Institutes of Health Menopausal Hormone Therapy Information
www.nih.gov/PHTindex.htm

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
888-644-6226
866-464-3615 (TTY)
info@nccih.nih.gov
www.nccih.nih.gov

North American Menopause Society
440-442-7550
info@menopause.org
www.menopause.org

This content is provided by the NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA). NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up to date.