(August 21, 2008 - Insidermedicine) Hormone replacement therapy after menopause can make life somewhat more comfortable by easing some of the symptoms that many women experience, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal.

Here are some facts about HRT:

•    HRT is an effective means of managing symptoms associated with menopause, but it has other effects on health, both positive and negative.

•    Taking HRT can increase the risk of heart disease, strokes, blood clots, and breast cancer, although the increase is small.

•    The Women's Health Initiative also demonstrated that HRT can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer and hip fracture.

Researchers in the WISDOM trial from the University of Adelaide randomly assigned nearly 5,700 postmenopausal women aged 50-69 to treatment with HRT consisting of estrogen and progestogen or a placebo. Each of the women was followed for an average of one year.

After one year, women taking HRT were less likely than those on placebo to report having symptoms of hot flushes, night sweats, aching joints and muscles, insomnia, and vaginal dryness. The women on HRT, however, were more likely to have breast tenderness and vaginal discharge.

If you are suffering from troublesome symptoms of menopause, talk to your healthcare provider about whether HRT is right for you. Benefits of this treatment must be weighed against its risks.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.