We’ve all heard that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with Premarin and Provera has been found to increase the risk of breast cancer, and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. However, there may be some good news about HRT. In a study that has been ongoing since 1986, doctors at the Mayo Clinic have found that HRT reduced the risk of colon cancer by 28%. Another study done at City of Hope Hospital found that HRT reduced the risk of colon cancer by 27%. We also know that HRT reduces the risk of fracture due to osteoporosis by as much as 38%.

When considering hormone therapy,most important for you to know are your risks for common adult diseases and conditions. If you are a person who is at more risk for colon cancer or for osteoporosis than for heart disease, stroke, or breast cancer, then you might want to discuss taking HRT with your doctor. Also remember that those studies showing that HRT increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and breast cancer were done using Premarin and Provera only. There are other, potentially safer, options for HRT using more natural compounds of the hormones.

The North American Menopause Society just this month updated its position statement on the use of HRT in postmenopausal women which is in keeping with the above. They say that recent data support the initiation of HRT around the time of menopause to treat menopause-related symptoms; to treat or reduce the risk of certain disorders, such as osteoporosis or fracture in certain women; or both. They also say that the benefits of HRT right at the time of menopause outweigh the risks; but that the benefits of HRT decrease (and the risks increase) with aging and with the length of time since menopause began.

Bottom line: Consider the use of HRT right at the time of menopause for certain indications, but do not stay on them indefinitely (or greater than 5 years); also, the further in time you are away from the start of your menopause, the more risk there is in starting HRT.