Risks of hormone therapy in the 50-59 year age group.

Since 2002 patients and practitioners have undergone a significant change of thinking with regard to the use of postmenopausal hormone therapy. The publication of the results of the hormone intervention (CEE+MPA) trial in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Study in 2002 and of the data gathered in the observational Million Women Study (MWS) in 2003 focused on risks of hormone therapy (HT) and contributed to a significant decline in its use. For menopause management, benefits and risks associated with HT must be regarded critically. There are distinctions between the risks involved when HT is initiated within 10 years of menopause and/or in the 50-59 year age group and risks when HT is used later on in life. This helps clinicians to develop again a realistic perspective on prescription of HT for their symptomatic postmenopausal patients.