Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also known as estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), is the most common traditional treatment for menopause symptoms.

How does it work?

Hormone replacement therapy replaces the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, that ovaries use to make prior to menopause. By replacing the female hormones, many menopause symptoms can be alleviated.

Indications / Uses

Hormone replacement therapy can be used before, during and after menopause. It is used to treat the menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and mood swings.

Hormone replacement therapy has an added advantage as it can also be used to treat and prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis by preventing bone loss.

Risks of Using HRT

A Women’s Health Initiative study in 2003 showed that long term HRT use can increase the risk of:

• myocardial infarction - heart attacks
• stroke
• invasive breast cancer
• venous thromboembolism - blood clots

Despite these risks, hormone replacement therapy remains a valuable treatment for the short term relief of menopause symptoms and should not be completely discounted as a valid option for women. Some women’s menopause symptoms can only be alleviated by the use of HRT. As with any medication, traditional or otherwise, each individual woman should discuss their treatment options with their physician.

What forms of HRT are available?

Hormone replacement therapy comes in three forms:

• tablets and capsules
• patches
• vaginal applications

Tablets and capsules are useful to treat a multitude of menopause symptoms and are usually the first option as it is the most convenient form of HRT. They are usually in doses of one tablet or capsule once daily.

Patches are useful for women who are unable to tolerate oral HRT, that is, those who suffer from nausea and vomiting. They are usually in doses of one application twice weekly.

Vaginal applications such as vaginal creams are useful for women who suffer more from vaginal menopause symptoms. The estrogens in the vaginal creams are still absorbed, but it has greater effects on vaginal symptoms than other symptoms.

Would you consider taking HRT for your menopause symptoms?

Maybe, I haven’t decided  Yes, definitely!  No, but I’ll take something natural  No, I don’t believe in taking anything

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