S. Preventive Services Task Force updates it recommendation on the use of hormone replacement therapy.

Important new information for post-menopausal women considering hormone replacement therapy to prevent chronic conditions.

It may feel like the news about HRT changes from week to week. Last week, a study in the British Medical Journal suggested HRT was safe.

This week, a panel of American experts...The United States Preventative Services Task Force...says in most cases it's just the opposite that risk for chronic conditions such as cancer and heart disease may still outweigh the benefits of the therapy.

While estrogen alone and estrogen plus progestin reduced the risk for fractures...the data show use of these hormones still increased risk for stroke, blood clots, gallbladder disease, and urinary incontinence.

The numbers showed that estrogen alone decreased risk for breast cancer...but estrogen plus progestin increased risk for breast cancer.

Bottom line, the task force recommends against the use of HRT for prevention of chronic conditions in postmenopausal women saying the risks are too high. This is the same recommendation it made in 2005.

As always, consult with your doctor on what's right for you.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that can keep you and your loved ones safe, healthy, and happy.