The authors say that in addition to upending the systemic barriers to women's progress, the small-wins strategy usually benefits both men and women by improving an organization's overall efficiency and performance. The current practice of prescribing estrogen and progestin for older women may increase one's breast cancer risk by 8 percent a year, versus 1 percent for women taking estrogen alone. These hormones have been traditionally given to women entering menopause to prevent osteoporosis and heart disease later in life. Researchers say, however, that the risks are eliminated as soon as the woman stops taking the hormones. Therefore, doctors believe that it is still advisable to use hormone therapy for two to three years to relieve the discomforts that occur with the onset of menopause.
Additional studies are underway to learn more about the effects of two hormones on women.
The results will not be available for another five years. With increasing options for preventing heart disease and bone loss, many health professionals are optimistic about finding viable alternatives to hormone-replacement therapy. As part of a Millennium series published last year, the New York Times Magazine provides an all-encompassing look at the role of women back over the sweep of 10 centuries. From the home place to cyberspace, the female of the species can compete as never before. Women's Issues' dominate the agenda.