Overview
- Researchers analyzed more than 120 million electronic health records to compare outcomes when estrogen therapy began during perimenopause, after menopause, or not at all.
- Use for at least a decade before the final menstrual period was associated with roughly 60% lower odds of breast cancer, heart attack, and stroke compared with later or no use.
- Initiation after menopause was linked to slightly lower odds of breast cancer and heart attack versus never-users but a 4.9% higher likelihood of stroke.
- The results were presented at The Menopause Society meeting in Orlando as conference data pending fuller details and peer-reviewed publication.
- Experts flagged potential biases typical of observational studies and referenced existing guidance, including NICE contraindications and evidence that combined HRT and longer duration raise breast cancer risk.