Hormone Therapy: What the Position Statement Says

You've heard it's dangerous, then that it's fine, then that it depends. Here's what the professional body actually published, and nothing more.

What the researchers actually did

The North American Menopause Society (now The Menopause Society) convened an expert panel to review the evidence on hormone therapy and publish a consensus position statement on benefits, risks, timing, and individualization of care.

What they found

• Hormone therapy remains the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms and genitourinary symptoms of menopause.
• The benefit-risk profile is generally more favorable for women under 60 or within 10 years of their final period.
• Risks depend on type, dose, route, duration, timing, and personal medical history.
• Decisions should be individualized with a clinician — there is no blanket answer.

What it means for you

We are not a medical provider and we will never tell you whether to take hormone therapy. What we can do is make sure you walk into that appointment knowing the questions to ask and the language the guidance uses.

What to do with it this week

• Write down your top three symptoms and how often they occur.
• Note your final period date, or your best estimate.
• List your personal and family history of clots, breast cancer, and heart disease.
• Ask your clinician directly: given my history, what is my benefit-risk picture?