Current Status of Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy

ormone therapy (HT) is one of the most prescribed medical regimens in the United States. Before the July 2002 publication of the opposedestrogen arm of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), which linked at least 3 years of HT to an elevated risk of invasive breast cancer, an estimated 38% of postmenopausal women in this country were taking HT. In 2000, this group accounted for 46 million prescriptions for conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) and 23 million prescriptions for CEE plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). Approved indications for HT as stipulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) include the relief of menopausal symptoms and the prevention of osteoporosis. Prevention of fractures (associated with decreased bone density), vasomotor instability (hot flashes), and atroW O M E ’ S H E A LT H Current Status of Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy