Objective: To study the implications of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) treatment in the pathogenesis of Reinkeʼs oedema (via a possible pseudo-hypothyroidism effect), and also to study why the disease affects a predominantly post-menopausal female population.Design: Prospective case series study.Setting: Two teaching hospitals and two district general hospitals in Scotland, UK.Subjects: Thirty-three patients diagnosed with Reinkeʼs oedema who presented in the out-patient department before or after treatment.Results: Thyroid function tests were normal in all but two cases. Only three patients were receiving HRT treatment.Conclusions: The study produced no evidence to support a relationship between HRT treatment and the pathogenesis of Reinkeʼs oedema; this supports previous studies which concluded that thyroid function was not related to the development of Reinkeʼs oedema. Some new ideas regarding hormonal factors in Reinkeʼs oedema are discussed.