What are the benefits of HRT?
HRT has been used to relieve the short-term symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, sweats, and disturbed sleep. It is also believed to be useful in preventing or alleviating an increased rate of bone loss that leads to osteoporosis. In the recent past, HRT also was prescribed to help prevent heart disease, but new evidence shows that heart health should not be a reason to take HRT. New study results now show that HRT does not cut the risk of heart attack and death for women with established heart disease, and it is unclear whether HRT can help prevent the onset of heart disease in healthy postmenopausal women. Preliminary evidence shows that HRT may be helpful in preventing Alzheimer’s disease, colon cancer, and macular degeneration (age-related vision loss).
