Research · PMID 42027787
Reviewed by Neal Rouzier, MD, Preventive Medicine · Sep 2026
Hormone replacement therapy and cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women.
European heart journal open · March 2026 · Isabella Blackburn, Vijay Kunadian
What this study found
Menopause hormone replacement therapy (HRT) remains the main strategy for managing menopausal symptoms and preventing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. However, its cardiovascular effects are complex and influenced by multiple factors.
How RAGMD uses this study
Clinical questions this paper informs
Synthesis lives on the evidence question — this page shows where the study sits in that analysis.
Primary study
Are bioidentical hormone preparations safer or more effective than conventional HRT?
FDA-approved bioidentical estradiol and progesterone have trial and post-marketing data. Custom-compounded bioidentical combinations lack equivalent efficacy and safety evidence and are not recommended over approved products by major societies.
Open evidence analysisSupporting literature
Does hormone replacement therapy increase breast cancer risk?
Combined estrogen-progestin therapy is associated with a small increased breast cancer risk in WHI and observational data. Estrogen-alone in hysterectomized women showed lower risk in WHI, but interpretation depends on regimen, duration, and individual risk factors.
Open evidence analysis