Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is often considered the most effective way to treat menopause-related symptoms, but it’s not right for everyone. Based on your age, medical history, and other individual factors, your doctor can help you decide if HRT is right for you.*

What is HRT?

During menopause, your ovaries start to make less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. As these hormone levels change, it’s common to experience a wide range of symptoms, including:

• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Changes in mood
• Dry, itchy skin
• Difficulty sleeping
• Vaginal dryness or pain during sex
• Difficulty controlling your bladder

HRT can help relieve many of these symptoms by increasing your hormone levels. Estrogen can be taken on its own, either through a pill, cream, gel, vaginal ring, or spray, or combined with a synthetic form of progesterone called progestin.

What are the benefits of HRT?

In addition to potentially relieving many of the common menopause symptoms mentioned earlier, HRT can also help improve your health in other ways, such as:

• Promoting bone health and lowering your risk of developing osteoporosis,
• Boosting mood and supporting mental health,
• Reducing your risk of colon cancer and diabetes, and
• Decreasing risk of tooth loss.

Evidence suggests that HRT may also promote longer life in women who take the therapy during midlife.

Risks and side effects

While HRT can help manage many menopause-related discomforts, there are some risks to consider. These include an increased risk of:

• Endometrial cancer, but only if you’re taking estrogen on its own and you still have your uterus,
• Blood clots,
• Gallbladder problems,
• Dementia, if therapy is started after midlife (midlife HRT may actually protect against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease),
• Breast cancer, if used for a long period of time.

Scientists are still learning about the link between HRT and heart health, but the American Heart Association does not recommend using HRT solely to prevent heart disease if you are not experiencing menopausal symptoms. 

 Who HRT is not recommended for

HRT is also usually not recommended if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, or if you have certain health concerns, including:

• Breast or endometrial cancer
• Blood clots
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Liver disease
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding

As with other medications, some people may experience mild side effects from taking HRT, such as vaginal bleeding or spotting, changes in mood, and breast tenderness. 

Whether or not HRT is right for you will depend on a number of individual factors. Other treatments, changes in your diet and activity habits, and mindfulness exercises can also be beneficial. Speak with your doctor to see which therapy options are best for you.

*Hormone Therapy for Menopause: Types, Benefits & Risks. (2021, June 28). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/15245-hormone-therapy-for-menopause-symptoms