The pros of taking HRT are fairly clear

• A significant reduction in menopausal symptoms (perhaps 70%)
• A reduced risk of osteoporosis (thinning of the bones)

By themselves these would make the taking of HRT pretty much a “no brainer”. However there are some fairly significant cons

• A general aversion to “taking medicines unnecessarily” – this is one of my biggest issues. I don’t believe in taking medicines if it can be avoided, particularly where this is over a lengthy period. So if your symptoms aren’t that severe and can be alleviated by some other method I’d rather go down that route
• Breast Cancer – there has been a lot of publicity about this. It appears that the risk is higher if you are taking the version of HRT containing progestogen, which is recommended if you have your womb to reduce the risk of cancer of the womb.
  In any event the risks are believed to be relatively small unless HRT is continued for more than 5 years after the age of 50
• Cancer of the Womb – oestrogen only HRT is said to increase the chances of this type of cancer – but the version with progestogen apparently eliminates this risk.
• Blood Clots – there is a slight increased risk of blood clots
• Heart Disease / Strokes – it was thought that HRT actually reduced the possibility of heart disease, however it would appear that current thinking is that there is a slightly increased risk, although this is said to be very dependant on a wide range of other age and health factors