Hormone therapy in postmenopausal women and risk of endometrial hyperplasia

Hormone therapy may be used to manage troublesome menopausal symptoms, but is currently recommended to be given at the lowest effective dose and regularly reviewed by a woman and her doctor. In women with an intact uterus hormone therapy comprising estrogen and progestogen is desirable to minimise the risk of endometrial hyperplasia which can develop into endometrial cancer. Low dose estrogen plus progestogen (minimum of 1 mg norethisterone acetate or 1.5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate) taken daily (continuously) appears safe for the endometrium. For women within one year of menopause low dose estrogen combined sequentially with 10 days of progestogen (1mg norethisterone acetate) per month appears safe for the endometrium.