Final answer:
Hormone therapy can alleviate symptoms of menopause, but the use of estrogen replacement therapy to protect the heart is still debated.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hormone therapy (HT), which employs medication (synthetic estrogens and progestins) to increase estrogen and progestin levels, can alleviate some of the symptoms of menopause. However, the use of estrogen replacement therapy to protect the heart is still a topic of debate and ongoing study.
The Women's Health Initiative study conducted in 2002 showed that estrogen-only hormone therapy increased the risk of breast cancer and did not have the expected positive effects on cardiovascular disease. However, other studies have shown potential cardiovascular benefits from estrogen replacement therapy and no increased risk for cancer.
It is important for the patient to discuss the potential benefits and risks of estrogen replacement therapy for heart protection with their healthcare provider.