Should estrogen alone or estrogen plus progesterone be used for hormone replacement therapy?:
Estrogen plus progesterone therapy is prescribed for women with a uterus. Progesterone is used to oppose the estrogen to reduce the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer. For women without a uterus, estrogen only therapy is used.
Starting hormone replacement therapy during menopause:
When does the benefit outweigh the risk of hormone replacement therapy?: Follow up data from the WHI trial has demonstrated that hormone therapy started in women under 60 years old and less than 10 years since menopause is useful to control vasomotor symptoms and has less risk of adverse events than when used in older women. Once over the age of 60, the risks outweigh the benefits. (2,14)