Is hormone replacement therapy safe?

For most healthy women starting within 10 years of menopause and under 60, benefits for symptoms and bone health generally outweigh risks. Risk of breast cancer and clots varies by formulation and route. It's a personalised decision with a clinician.

Much of the fear traces to early reporting of the Women's Health Initiative, which studied older women starting HRT years after menopause. Risk profile differs for women starting near menopause.

Transdermal oestrogen (patch or gel) avoids the increased clot risk seen with oral forms, and is often preferred for women with risk factors.