Although controversy continues, the preponderance of evidence indicates that estrogen replacement therapy favorably influences the risk of coronary heart disease in postmenopausal women. It remains uncertain how this effect is mediated and whether the cyclic addition of a progestin may influence adversely an estrogen-related cardioprotective effect. We investigated the influence of sex hormone ...

Menopausal hormone decline contributes significantly to the risk of osteoporosis. Therapies for treating osteoporosis, such as hormone replacement therapy (estrogen or combination estrogen-progestins), inhibit bone resorption. Both animal and human studies demonstrate phytoestrogenic soy isoflavones favorably impact bone health. The exact mechanism is still unclear. Additional research is neede...

AIMS Serum C-reactive protein has prognostic significance in apparently healthy men and women and in men with coronary artery disease. Little is known regarding the predictive role of C-reactive protein in women with coronary heart disease. We assessed whether differences exist in C-reactive protein levels and their prognostic value in men compared with women. We also assessed whether C-reactiv...

Objectives To review completed trials assessing effect of hormone replacement therapy on subsequent risk of stroke, assessing stroke by pathological type, severity, and outcome. Design Systematic review of randomised controlled trials identified from the Cochrane Library, Embase, and Medline; reviews; and reference lists of relevant papers. Studies reviewed 28 trials, with 39 769 subjects, were...