Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Method Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were searched in Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2008), MEDLINE (1978-2008) and Clinical Evidence database. Search terms included Postmenopausal (post-menopausal) osteoporosis, therapy, vertebral fracture, hormone replacement therapy, randomized controlled trial, meta analysis, female,human. Result A total of 4 protocols were found in Cochrane Library and a meta-analyse was found in MEDLINE. The result demonstrated that both cancellous and cortical bone mineral density increased after HRT. Statistically significant reductions in the risk of vertebral and non-vertebral fracture were also found. Conclusion HRT can reduce the risk of osteoporotic fracture by increasing bone density. However, other disease and adverse event were also associated with the BMD increase. Therefore, both advantage and disadvantage should be considered before applying HRT therapy to postmenopausal osteoporosis patients.
