Changes in use of hormone replacement therapy after the report from the Women's Health Initiative: cross sectional survey of users

In 2002 the Women's Health Initiative reported the results of a study on the effects of combined oestrogen plus progestogen on healthy postmenopausal women. They found increased rates of breast cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke, and venous thromboembolism and decreased rates of hip fracture and colorectal disease but no “global” benefit. They concluded that combined oestrogen and progestogen is not suitable for the prevention of chronic diseases.1 The subsequent extensive media coverage came at a time when the prevalence,2 3 duration,2 4 and use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for the prevention of chronic disease had been increasing.2 4 After the report, government regulatory authorities issued advice to health professionals and women, and guidelines relating to the postmenopausal use of hormone replacement therapy were updated.5 We examined changes in HRT use since the publication of the report. Between January 2000 and November 2002, 3500 women were screened from 23 general practices in four New Zealand centres as part of the recruitment process for the …