Geriatrics
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The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study that evaluated the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for healthy postmenopausal women. The results indicated that HRT: 1) does not confer cardiovascular or cognitive protection; 2) increases breast cancer risk in women with a uterus; 3) increases stroke risk in women with hysterectomy; and 4) does not improve overall quality of life. ⋯ Because the results were surprising in light of prior observational and animal research, the study generated enormous controversy as to how to use HRT. Our position is that long-term HRT is not appropriate for most postmenopausal women, but treatment should be individualized for each patient.