Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT increases the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disorders and it is the pharmaceutical industry, which has taken the commercial advantage of the potential disorder to manufacture drugs that can control the symptoms. In reality the drugs for HRT provide no solutions to menopausal condition instead it increases the risk of acquiring critical diseases.

In a lively debate titled 'The house believes that HRT has had its day' at the 46th All India Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecologist, Dr. Swarnalatha Nand, obstetric and gynaecologist from Australia presented the negative side of the HRT. Quoting the Woman's Health Initiative (WHI) study conducted in the USA, UK and Europe where instances of nearly 50 percent women in the age group of 50-70 years after administering HRT developed cardiovascular disorders.

There was also a risk of stroke so WHI asked the patients to discontinue the treatment, as all protection to the human body was false. There was no relationship between HRT and control of cancer and gall bladder disorders instead there was a rapid increase in the incidence of the disorder. For conditions like osteoporosis, HRT was not the answer instead simple prescriptions of Calcium + Vitamin D was the solution to prevent brittle bones of the age-group. The HRT cases also suffered from urinary incontinence and vaginal dryness.

The importance and indispensability of HRT that was initially driven with enthusiasm by the pharma industry has left the medical fraternity with much doubt on its efficacy, averred Dr. Nand.

Dr. David Purdie advisor to the government of United Kingdom on HRT who gave the positive angle to the therapy said that evidences provided by WHI was vague and grossly misinterpreted. The reference to menopause as a disease is wrong, as it is a natural phase for a woman. Women should not be denied the HRT, which is essentially estrogens and the molecule is known for more for its benefits than dangers. The WHI report did not stop any of the clinical trails in HRT drugs. Therefore HRT should be used to protect the women and treatment should be continued.

If the house believes HRT has its day, Dr. David Purdie reiterated that the day for HRT is beginning.