HRT risks that are still present 

As is the case when considering any treatment, it’s best to have a conversation with your doctor. They can evaluate your health history, medical issues, family history, and attitudes to determine what drug, if any, may alleviate your symptoms. HRT is safest and most effective when started within 10 years of your last menstrual period. “That’s the golden window of opportunity,” says Minkin. 

HRT is not for everyone—those with a history of heart disease and hormone-sensitive cancers should avoid the therapy as it may increase the risk of a cardiac event, like stroke, or cancer recurrence. In some cases, HRT may still be an option, but a careful conversation about the risks and benefits, plus ongoing monitoring, is crucial, says Marko.

As for HRT and breast cancer? “There may be a slightly increased risk, but is it high? No, it’s not,” says Marko. It boils down to approximately one additional case of breast cancer per 1,000 women per year. That’s less risky than two glasses of wine a day, notes Fleischman. But experts also say if you already have a history of breast cancer, taking certain types of HRT could increase your risk of the cancer returning. 

For those who are still concerned about side effects, there are plenty of ways to mitigate the risk of breast cancer. Applying treatment to the skin via a patch or gel rather than taking a pill can be beneficial, as well as exercising regularly, getting regular mammograms, eating a healthy diet, and cutting back on alcohol, says Marko. Adding progestin to the regimen can lower the risk of endometrial cancers. 

Looking ahead, Fleischman hopes this news encourages people to keep an open mind about HRT and recognize that some of that early data may have been misinterpreted. “I do think it’s going to make patients healthier,” he says.