For some post-menopausal women, the loss of oestrogen can accelerate the process of osteoporosis and increase the incidence of heart attack and strokes. HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) is frequently used to treat the symptoms of the menopause, although a recent study has shown that there may be a slightly increased risk of breast cancer and heart disease with a particular type of HRT. The Department of Health currently advises that taking HRT on a short-term basis to relieve the symptoms of the menopause is a suitable treatment because the benefits outweigh the risks. However, HRT should only be prescribed on a long-term basis to prevent osteoporosis if other treatments have been shown to be unsuccessful or inappropriate. For women who have been prescribed HRT for early menopause, the treatment should be reviewed at around 50. |
