A nurse's guide to hormone replacement therapy

Menopause is a natural event most women experience as they enter their 5th decade. As human life expectancy has lengthened, health issues concerning women in mid-life have become a major focus in holistic, preventive health care, which is heavily influenced by nurses. Controversy continues about the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy for women during their years of perimenopause and postmenopause. Evidence is compiling, however, that indicates the benefits of exogenous hormones may outweigh these concerns. As nurses, we must have a current knowledge of hormone replacement therapy to counsel our patients effectively. This article presents information to assist the nurse in meeting this goal.