How effective is hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?

Studies show the best results when women start HRT within 10 years of menopause. A meta-analysis of 23 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing HRT to placebo reported a 32% decrease in heart disease. A meta-analysis of 30 RCTs comparing HRT to placebo showed women who take HRT had a 39% reduced mortality. The Cache County study reported that women receiving HRT have a 50% lower occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease. Without HRT, one in three women at age 50 will eventually suffer a fracture from osteoporosis. Thirty percent of women develop sexual dysfunction within six months of menopause and HRT effectively restores sexual function.