Having Heard Positive Reports of the Benefits of Hormone Therapy

Multiple Choice

Having heard positive reports of the benefits of hormone therapy (HT) from her sister-in-law and friends, a 49-year-old woman has presented to her family physician asking to start HT. Her uterus is intact, and previous bone scans have indicated low bone density. The client also has a family history of heart disease. She characterizes her symptoms of menopause as "noticeable, but not debilitating by any means." Based on the most current research, what is her physician's best course of action?

A) Begin estrogen-progesterone HT (EPT) to prevent future menopausal symptoms and coronary heart disease (CHD) .
B) Forego HT in light of her preexisting low bone density and consequent risk of osteoporosis.
C) Forego HT but consider alternative therapies and reevaluate if her symptoms significantly affect her quality of life.
D) Begin low-dose HT but perform regular breast cancer screening and heart health checks.