Has not been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer although some studies show subtle increases with prolonged use of the medication.
Short-term hormonal therapy with estrogen alone or estrogen and progesterone in patients who have a BRCA mutation is not associated with increase risk of breast cancer, and factor may have an associated decreased risk.
Observational studies and randomized trials of hormonal therapy in breast cancer survival have conflicting results and the use of estrogen plus progesterone, especially, is not endorsed.
Conjugated equine estrogens used to relieve vasomotor symptoms of menopause is associated with about twice the risk of venous thrombosis compared with estradiol (Smith NL et al).
Conjugated equine estrogen selectively binds alpha estrogen receptors and is a potent down regulator of beta. estrogen receptors.
Estrogen therapy has been shown in several studies to increase BMD from 2% to 7% at all sites and to prevent both vertebral and hip fractures in post menopausal women.