In 2002, a major five-year study on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) was abruptly halted by federal researchers because they said they detected an increased risk of health problems. Alarming stories about this appeared in all the news media.

At the time, I stated my belief that this was another case of reporting dangers disproportionate to reality. While I did not condone prescription hormone replacement therapy, and still do not, unless under the direction and care of a physician well versed in the subject, one who cares and “keeps up,” I believe the combination in proper doses and forms of estrogen and progesterone, which I had been taking for 15 years, now 22 years, as prescribed and controlled by my gynecologist, has been a tremendous help for me in many ways.

At my last physical exam my bone density was described as that of a woman in her twenties, and, as you can tell from my photos, there’s no sign of osteoporosis. I truly believe the hormone therapy I’ve been on, along with the proper diet, with supplements, and exercise is the reason for my agile bones and body

As it turned out, the study in 2002 that resulted in reports of dangers from HRT was limited to older women who were well past their menopausal years.  Two years later, a review of other studies of younger women, prior to the age of 60, found a survival advantage for those who begin HRT before turning 60.  Those studies revealed that HRT actually reduced the risk of dying from any cause by 39% compared with women who did not take HRT at all. Now, isn’t that something!  Most of those studies were conducted between 1990 and 2002.  Where were these reports in 2002, when the controversy was raging?

The risks vs. benefits of treating younger women (younger than 60) with hormone replacement, nevertheless, remained controversial.  However, that news gave me the fuel to reiterate what I said two years prior.  I urged anyone having any menopausal or pre-menopausal problems to discuss the possibility of HRT with a competent doctor, one who understands the studies and who is not prone to simply dismiss the therapy. Some doctors dismiss it because they don’t know enough about the subject and don’t want to bother with it…want to play it safe (for themselves) but it may not be the best answer for you.

Then, in 2006, findings published in the Journal of Women’s Health showed that women who began Hormone Replacement Therapy soon after entering menopause had a 30% lower risk for heart disease than women who did not use hormones. Contrary to that earlier research linking estrogen treatment to increased cardiovascular risks, this analysis of the data indicated HRT may indeed offer heart-protective benefits, depending on a woman’s age and how long since she entered menopause. Publication of this research was swiftly followed by a fresh analysis of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) data that first raised concerns about HRT in 2002.  This updated analysis, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, suggested that health concerns about menopause hormones may have been overstated. Even the Women’s Health Initiative for menopausal women then advised women to consult their doctor about HRT.

In August 2008, one of the world's longest and largest trials of hormone replacement therapy has found that post-menopausal women on HRT gain significant improvements in quality of life. The results of the latest study by the WISDOM research team (Women's International Study of long Duration Oestrogen after Menopause) are published on the British Medical Journal website www.bmj.com.

The study involved 2130 post-menopausal women in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and assessed the impact of combined estrogen and progesterone hormone therapy on the women's quality of life. "Our results show that hot flushes, night sweats, sleeplessness and joint pains were less common in women on HRT in this age group. Sexuality was also improved," says Professor Alastair MacLennan, leader of the Australian arm of WISDOM and head of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the University of Adelaide, Australia. "Overall, quality of life measures improved. Even when women did not have hot flashes and were well past menopause, there was a small but measurable improvement in quality of life and a noted improvement in sleep, sexuality and joint pains. HRT users also had more breast tenderness and discharge compared to those on a placebo," he says. "If a woman feels that HRT is needed for quality of life, then doctors can find the safest regimen for her. She can try going off HRT every 4-5 years, and can then make an informed choice about whether she takes and continues HRT."

Despite studies such as this, Hormone Replacement Therapy remains controversial.  A study in New York in December 2008 indicated a possible link between HRT and Breast Cancer in some women.

So, with my own experience over 22 years and considering all the studies over the last eighteen years, I continue to urge women of pre-menopausal, menopausal and post-menopausal age to consult a competent doctor who is well versed in the potential benefits and pitfalls of estrogen and progesterone therapy who would be capable of determining candidacy for Hormone Replacement Therapy and prescribe and monitor an individual program, as my great doctor has done and is doing for me.