The hormone replacement therapy controversy.

The issue of hormone replacement treatment for menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, various cardiac problems, and other disorders has received a great deal of attention. Recent data concerning the benefits and risks have changed ideas about indications and contra-indications. In this paper we will consider the multiple factors that determine an individual woman's decision about taking or continuing to take hormone replacement therapy, not only the medical indications. We will discuss the established benefits of replacement therapy, conditions for which the benefits are not established, areas of controversy, risks of treatment, and factors underlying the decisions about undergoing the treatment.