Hormone replacement therapy likely safe for women short-term, study finds

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Updated: Thursday, October 3 2013 11:01 AM EDT2013-10-03 15:01:52 GMT

Updated: Thursday, October 3 2013 10:58 AM EDT2013-10-03 14:58:59 GMT

Updated: Thursday, October 3 2013 10:55 AM EDT2013-10-03 14:55:32 GMT

After years of conflicting advice, a new study finds that healthy women can take drugs involved with hormone replacement therapy for a little while. Just don't take it long-term thinking HRT will prevent heart disease or cancer. In fact, taking it for a long period of time comes with risks.

Hormone replacement therapy is used to replace female hormones that are no longer produced after menopause. These drugs help prevent hot flashes and night sweats that can affect menopausal women. For decades, doctors thought HRT was also good for women's hearts. To test this and other issues, scientists decided to conduct a large trial called the Women's Health Initiative. But the HRT trial was suspended early because women were having serious health issues, including higher risks for heart problems, breast cancer, and strokes.

In this new study, scientists looked back at 13 years of research from participants in the Women's Health Initiative. They concluded that it was risky to take HRT long-term. But for healthy women with severe symptoms early in menopause, taking HRT for a short period of time might be worth the risk. Of course, you'll want to talk about this with your doctor.

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Hormone replacement therapy likely safe for women short-term, study finds