Dr Sarah Branch, Deputy Director of MHRA’s Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines (VRMM) Division said:

Our advice has always been that the lowest effective dose of HRT should be used for the shortest possible time.

We will evaluate the findings of this study and its implications for shorter-term use and update product information as necessary.

The decision to start, continue or stop HRT should be made jointly by a woman and her doctor, based on the best advice available and her own personal circumstances, including her age, her need for treatment and her medical risk factors.

Women on HRT should have regular health check-ups and their need to continue treatment should be re-assessed at least annually.

Any woman on HRT who has any questions should speak to her doctor who is best placed to advise.