Marla Shapiro, CCFP, MHSc, FRCPC, FCFP, Assistant Professor, University of Toronto, Department of Family Medicine; Medical Consultant, CTV, Toronto, ON.

Whether women are taking hormone replacement therapy for the prevention of heart disease, osteoporosis or the symptoms of menopause, results from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study have brought to the forefront many concerns. Results from this as well as the HOPE study are reviewed, followed by the ensuing responses and recommendations from medical societies. Assessing and tailoring hormone replacement therapy for every woman individually is what can be recommended clearly until further studies are published.
Key words: menopause, hormone replacement therapy, current controversies

With a life expectancy of 81.