The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology
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J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol. · Jul 2014
ReviewThe Women's Health Initiative trial and related studies: 10 years later: a clinician's view.
The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) assessed the long-term effects of hormone therapy (HT) in postmenopausal women. The WHI started HT treatment on women aged 50-79 years in order to ascertain these effects. The study was ended early, due to findings of increased risk of coronary heart disease, breast cancer, stroke, and thromboembolic complications in women receiving estrogen plus progestin, compared to placebo. ⋯ Ten years later, some have been answered, including confirmation that HT for most newly menopausal women is safe and effective. The treatment of the aging woman, including hormone treatment after menopause, should remain one of our highest research priorities. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Menopause'.