Press release

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the risk of ovarian cancer

MHRA statement in response to the study in The Lancet on the use of HRT.

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency

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.

Media enquiries

News centre
MHRA
10 South Colonnade
London
E14 4PU

Email newscentre@mhra.gov.uk

During office hours: 020 3080 7651 (08:30 - 17:00)

Out of office hours: 07770 446 189 (17:00 - 08:30)

Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm. For real-time updates including the latest press releases and news statements, see our Twitter channel at https://www.twitter.com/mhragovuk

Updates to this page

Published 13 February 2015