Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment doctors may recommend for managing menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. It helps balance estrogen and progesterone levels. However, HRT may not be safe for everyone.
Also known as menopausal hormone therapy, HRT can help relieve sweating, hot flashes, and other symptoms of menopause. It can also reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Some types of HRT contain both progesterone and estrogen, while others contain only estrogen. Sometimes they contain testosterone.
Below, learn about the uses, types, and risks of HRT.
Hormone treatment can help address a range of issues.
The right combination and dosage of the hormones will depend on the reason for prescribing this form of treatment.
Menopause is not an illness. It is a natural transition from the years in which a female can reproduce to the next phase of life.
Many people go through menopause without requiring any treatment. However, if the transition causes troubling or distracting symptoms, a variety of treatment approaches are available.
Around menopause, many people experience:
HRT can help manage some of the above symptoms.
In addition, some studies have suggested that HRT may help:
However, confirming these benefits will require further research.
Learn more about what to expect during menopause.
A doctor may also prescribe different types and combinations of sex hormones for:
Levels of progesterone and estrogen fluctuate throughout each month, in females, contributing to the menstrual cycle.
These levels also change throughout a person’s lifetime.
Levels of estrogen and progesterone start to fall when most females are in their 40s, but menstruation will continue for some time.
Periods may become less regular, and hot flashes and other menopause symptoms may start to appear during this time.
While menstruation continues, it is possible to become pregnant, although the chances reduce with time.
Perimenopause, or the lead-up to menopause, usually lasts for around 7 yearsTrusted Source, but it can occur for up to 14 years, according to the National Institute on Aging.
Menopause begins 12 months after a person’s last period. On average, this occurs at the age of 52Trusted Source in the United States. After menopause, it is no longer possible to become pregnant without medical assistance.
Everyone experiences menopause differently, but hot flashes, mood changes, and other symptoms are common.
A studyTrusted Source published in 2015 suggests that in more than half of females, vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes:
During this time, HRT can help manage the symptoms.
Menopause begins earlierTrusted Source for some people, and HRT can be helpful if this happens.
People who experience the transition early may:
Sometimes, the transition starts early for no clear reason.
Anyone who is scheduled to undergo surgery or another treatment that will affect their reproductive system should ask about the likelihood of experiencing early menopause.
A doctor can describe the range of treatments available, should a person need them.
Here, learn more about surgical menopause.
While HRT can help manage hot flashes and other menopause symptoms, it can also have adverse effects.
Depending on the type of treatment, these may include:
These side effects usually disappear after a few weeks.
It is important to let the doctor know about any side effects that cause concern. They may be able to adjust the dosage or suggest an alternative.
In the past, it was common to use hormone therapy during menopause, but HRT may not be safe or suitable for everyone — especially for people with specific risk factors.
Now, most doctors agree that it is safe to take hormone therapy:
However, the individual’s overall health and preferences should influence the decision.
Risks: Who should not use HRT?
HRT may not be suitableTrusted Source for people with a history of:
Also, people should not use it if they are or may become pregnant.
Some older researchTrusted Source linked HRT to endometrial, breast, and ovarian cancer. However, this research did not look at all aspects of HRT.
The American Cancer Society point out that the risk may depend on the type of treatment and the type of cancer.
They report that while one type of HRT may increase the risk of breast cancer slightly, another type may reduce the risk.
Anyone who is thinking of using HRT should talk to their doctor about the specific risks and benefits.
Some people worry that hormone treatment might lead to weight gain, but there is no evidence to support this.
Eating a healthful diet and getting plenty of exercise can help manage the weight gain that commonly affects both females and males in midlife.
There are various ways of delivering hormone therapy, and the different typesTrusted Source provide different combinations and amounts of hormones.
Common types include:
Estrogen-only HRT: A doctor may recommend this if a person has had their uterus and ovaries removed, in which case progesterone is not necessary.
Cyclical, or sequential, HRT: This may be a good option if symptoms occur before menopause; the dosage can align with the menstrual cycle.
Continuous HRT: After menopause, a doctor may prescribe a continuous combination of estrogen and progesterone.
Local estrogen: Vaginal tablets, creams, or rings can help with urogenital symptoms, including vaginal dryness and irritation.
The doctor will prescribe the lowest possible dosage that addresses the person’s symptoms, and arriving at this dosage may take some trial and error.
Ways of delivering HRT include:
When a person no longer needs the treatment, the doctor will describe how to stop it gradually.
Various lifestyle adjustments can help manage the symptoms of menopause.
They include:
Also, it is a good idea to ask the doctor about nonhormonal treatment options.
Some people take ginseng, black cohosh, red clover, soy, or kava supplements to help ease symptoms of menopause.
However, confirming the effects of these supplements requires further research. Some may not be safeTrusted Source for everyone to use.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not recommend or regulate herbal treatments. A person cannot be sure what a product contains or whether it is safe or effective to use.
Always speak to a doctor before using any supplements.
Can essential oils help with menopause? Find out here.
Hormone therapy is a standard approach to a range of health issues. Certain hormones or combinations of hormones can help manage symptoms of menopause.
However, HRT is not suitable for everyone. Doctors and other healthcare providers can describe the risks and potential benefits in detail and help people with the decision.
