From the Guidelines
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) improves conditions such as osteoporosis, fractures, and colorectal cancer in postmenopausal women, by increasing bone mineral density and reducing the risk of fractures and colorectal cancer 1.
Conditions Improved by HRT
- Osteoporosis: HRT increases bone density and reduces the risk of fractures, with good evidence from observational studies and randomized clinical trials demonstrating its effectiveness 1.
- Fractures: The reduction in fracture risk is a significant benefit, as osteoporotic fractures are a major cause of morbidity in older women.
- Colorectal cancer: HRT has been shown to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, although the evidence is fair 1.
Benefits of HRT
- Increased bone mineral density: HRT has been consistently shown to increase bone density, which reduces the risk of fractures and osteoporosis 1.
- Reduced risk of fractures: The increase in bone density translates to a reduced risk of fractures, which is a major benefit for postmenopausal women 1.
- Reduced risk of colorectal cancer: HRT has been shown to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, which is a significant benefit for postmenopausal women 1.
Important Considerations
- The decision to use HRT should be individualized, taking into account the woman's medical history, symptoms, and risk factors for chronic diseases 1.
- Regular monitoring is required to balance the benefits of HRT against potential risks, such as breast cancer and venous thromboembolism 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Conditions Improved by Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been shown to improve several conditions associated with menopause, including:
- Menopausal symptoms, such as vasomotor symptoms and genitourinary syndrome of menopause 2, 3, 4
- Bone health, with evidence suggesting a positive effect on osteoporosis prevention 3, 4
- Sleep quality, with some studies indicating that certain forms of HRT, such as micronized progesterone, may be more effective than others in improving sleep efficiency and reducing time spent awake after sleep onset 5
- Cardiovascular health, with some evidence suggesting that HRT may have a favorable effect on coronary heart disease and all-cause mortality in younger women, particularly those close to menopause 3, 4
- Quality of life, with improvements in climacteric symptoms, bleeding patterns, and overall well-being reported in women receiving HRT 2, 6
Specific Benefits of HRT
The benefits of HRT can be summarized as follows:
- Relief from menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats 2, 3, 4
- Prevention of osteoporosis and fractures 3, 4
- Improvement in sleep quality and duration 5
- Potential reduction in cardiovascular risk, particularly in younger women 3, 4
- Enhancement of overall quality of life and well-being 2, 6