Does Hormone Therapy Slow Progression of Atherosclerosis in Recently Menopausal Women?

After observational studies had suggested associations between menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and lower risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes, the randomized Women's Health Initiative trial demonstrated that hormone therapy was in fact associated with excess risks for coronary events, stroke, and pulmonary embolism in women whose mean age was 63. However, some still argue that MHT might confer cardiovascular benefit in a subgroup of women who initiate treatment closer to menopause. In this randomized, industry-supported trial, 727 healthy menopausal women (age range, 42–58) who were within 6 to 36 months from their last menses received oral estrogen or transdermal estradiol (each with progesterone) or placebo for 48 months. Individuals…