Estrogen replacement therapy in practice: trends and issues.

Since their availability in 1926, estrogens and their use in postmenopausal women have met with both acceptance and alarm by the medical profession and potential estrogen users. It was not until the 1980s that long-term research began to demonstrate the beneficial effects of estrogen, thus contributing to a significant increase in use during the past decade. This article provides information on current use of estrogen replacement therapy and describes factors influencing continuance. Poor continuance remains a barrier to the full potential of estrogen replacement therapy for postmenopausal women. The role of the physician in improving continuance is discussed.