Benefits Symptom control Quality of life Osteoporotic fracture Large bowel cancer		Risks VTE (blood clots) Breast cancer Stroke Gall bladder disease
AGE UNDER 50 AGE 50-60 AND HAVING SYMPTOMS	AGE 60 +	AGE OVER 70 PAST HISTORY OF HEART DISEASE AND STROKE

The risk/benefit balance of HRT varies between women and for each woman, from year to year depending on presence or not of symptoms, other medical history and number of years that HRT has been taken.

Generally though, if you become menopausal early (before age 45) or prematurely (before age 40), the benefits of taking HRT up to at least age 50 far outweigh the risks. If you are under 60 and having menopausal symptoms, the benefits also outweigh the risks.

Page last updated: 5 December 2007