Final answer:
Replacement estrogen therapy or hormone therapy (HT) used in postmenopausal women does indeed increase the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular events. Current medical guidelines recommend using HT at the lowest dose and for the shortest duration necessary, with a focus on regular monitoring.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that replacement estrogen therapy in postmenopausal women increases risk of stroke is true. Studies, including those by the Women's Health Initiative, have shown that hormone therapy (HT), specifically with synthetic estrogens, can have several negative side effects. These include an increased risk of breast cancer, heart attacks, and notably, strokes. However, the correlation between hormone replacement therapy and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease was a fallacy, as other factors such as socioeconomic status played an essential role. The use of HT has been recommended for the reduction of symptoms like hot flashes, and the current guidelines suggest using the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible to mitigate these risks. Women on HT are advised to have regular pelvic and breast exams.