If you take HRT, compared to women of the same age who do not take HRT, you have a small increased risk of developing the following.

• A blood clot in a blood vessel. This can cause a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and the clot may travel to the lung (pulmonary embolism). In women in their 50's, over a five year period:

about 3 in 1000 women who do not use HRT are likely to have a serious blood clot.
about 7 in 1000 women who do use HRT are likely to have a serious blood clot.

• The increased risk of having a blood clot is mainly within the first year or so of starting HRT. See a doctor urgently if you develop a red, swollen or painful leg, or have sharp pains in your chest.

• Cancer of the breast. For women aged 50 who do not use HRT, about 45 in 1000 will develop breast cancer before they are 70. However, if you take HRT it increases your risk of developing this cancer. The increased risk is small for the first 1-2 years of using HRT, and then gradually increases the longer you use it. For example, studies have shown that for every 1000 women who take HRT for 10 years, there are:

about 19 extra cases of breast cancer in those who take combined oestrogen/progestogen HRT.
about 5 extra cases of breast cancer in those who take oestrogen-only HRT.

• However, if you use HRT and then stop taking it, your risk of developing breast cancer falls back to the normal risk within a few years of stopping treatment.

• Stroke. There is a small increased risk. Over a five year period:

about 3 in 1000 women in their 50's who do not take HRT will have a stroke.
about 4 in 1000 women who do take HRT will have a stroke.

• Stroke becomes more common with increasing age. Over a five year period:

about 11 in 1000 women in their 60's's who do not take HRT will have a stroke.
about 15 in 1000 women who do use HRT will have a stroke.

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