Both HRT and ERT can have side effects. You could have bloating, breast tenderness, cramping, irritability, depression, and sometimes spotting or a return of monthly periods for a few months or years. By changing the amount of hormone, the way it is taken, or the timing of the dose, your doctor may be able to control these side effects. They may disappear over time also.

Many women now live 25, 30, or more years after menopause. Could taking hormone therapy for many of those years be helpful to women? Would it be safe? Women and their doctors need to know the benefits and risks of using HRT or ERT for many years. Studies are now being done to provide the answers. Some of the known or suspected risks are:

Endometrial cancer. Estrogen supplements, particularly in high doses, can lead to endometrial cancer, a cancer of the lining of the uterus. Most doctors now suggest lower doses of estrogen, along with a form of progesterone, for women who still have a uterus. The progesterone protects against this form of cancer. Women who have had their uterus and cervix removed can use estrogen alone.

Breast Cancer. An important question about HRT and ERT is presently under study: Does HRT/ERT increase your risk of breast cancer? Although the answer is not known now, many doctors believe that if you are not at high risk for breast cancer, you can safely use HRT or ERT. They believe that the benefits of this therapy to the heart and bones are more important than the risks in many women. This is especially true for women with a family history of osteoporosis.

Blood clots. Another possible risk of HRT, ERT, and the osteoporosis drug raloxifene for some women is blood clots in their veins. The chance of developing these clots is small for women not using these hormones or drugs. There is a significant increase in your chance of blood clots if you take any of these.