In the past we routinely prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to post menopausal women not only because it is beneficial for menopausal symptoms, but because we thought it would help have overall health benefits. Recent studies have shown that the risks may outweigh the benefits. The use of HRT for more than five years was found to decrease the risk of fractures and colon cancer, but increase the risk for breast cancer, blood clots, and strokes by about eight more events per 10,000 women/year. HRT still has a place in women's health when necessary, but for the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.