As our understanding of the nature of modern postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has improved, the number of true contraindications to its use has declined. As a result, the question of whether or not to take HRT has become determined more by patient choice and less by medical factors, a trend that is likely to continue. Thus, women (as well as their doctors) need to be told of the indications for HRT so that they can make an informed choice.