Menopause and hormone replacement therapy.

The beneficial impact of hormone replacement therapy on postmenopausal women is substantial. The size of the positive impact has probably been underestimated owing to compliance issues. Patients and physicians need to learn about the important contribution to preventive health care that occurs with estrogen. Negative beliefs about menopause by both patients and physicians may contribute to poor compliance with hormone replacement therapy. It is time to emphasize the positive aspects: the prospect for long life made healthy by a good preventive care program.