Table 3. Outcomes Table: Hormone Replacement Therapy Use in 10,000 Women—Benefits and Harms per Year

Benefits and Harms Number of events prevented or caused per year
Age 55-64 Age 65-74 Age 75-84
This Review WHI This Review WHI This Review WHI
Benefits (prevention) Hip fractures 3 4 9 13 33 47
Wrist fractures 34 37.5 45
Vertebral fractures 32 27 57 49 91 78
Cases of colon cancer 2 3 4 7 7 12.5
Uncertain Benefits Cases of dementia 17* 34 68*
Harms (caused) Coronary heart disease events 0 6 0 9 0 11.5
Strokes 1* 4* 3 9 6* 19*
Thromboembolic events during first year 3 3 3
Thromboembolic events overall 1.5 1.4 1.5 1.4 1.5 1.4
Breast cancer cases (<5 years' use) 0 to 2.5 0 to 6 0 to 7
Breast cancer cases (>5 years' use) 7 to 11 8 10 to 15 11 11 to 17 12
Cholecystitis cases (<5 years' use) 25 25 25
Cholecystitis cases (>5 years' use) 53.5 53.5 53.5

*Estimates based on extrapolations.

Note: WHI indicates Women's Health Initiative.


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