The evolution of HRT

Like all forms of medical treatment, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has continuously evolved as new treatments and new ways of delivering medicines (such as skin patches and implants) have become available.

Current medical thinking about HRT has two key elements: that the lowest effective dose of HRT should be used, and that any HRT prescribed is part of a holistic review of healthy living for all females after the menopause.

This is important because women today can expect to live on average for more than thirty years after the menopause. During this time the risk of many common disorders – such as osteoporosis (thinning of the bones), heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and some cancers – will naturally increase.

Thus, HRT can form part of a comprehensive programme of health maintenance for women in their later years, alongside a healthy lifestyle (diet and exercise) plus regular assessment of breast health (mammography); heart health (cardiovascular tests) and bone density measurement.

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