TY - JOUR T1 - Risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy: The evidence speaks JF - Canadian Medical Association Journal JO - CMAJ SP - 1001 LP - 1010 VL - 168 IS - 8 AU - Karin H. Humphries AU - Sabrina Gill Y1 - 2003/04/15 UR - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/168/8/1001.abstract N2 - UNTIL RECENTLY, OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES suggested a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporotic fractures, cognitive decline and colon cancer with the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Recent randomized controlled trials have failed to show a protective effect of HRT in reducing the risk of coronary artery disease and instead have revealed an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, invasive breast cancer and venous thromboembolism, but a decreased risk of colorectal cancer and osteoporotic fractures. In this article we review the current evidence of the risks and benefits of HRT. ER -