Postmenopausal women should not be prescribed hormone replacement therapy to prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease and osteoporosis, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said. Although recent studies revealed that estrogen alone and estrogen plus progestin lower risk of fractures, these treatments increase the likelihood of stroke, blood clots, gallbladder disease and incontinence. The findings were published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Reuters (10/22)