Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medication that contains female hormones used to replace the estrogen your body stops producing during menopause. It is most commonly used to treat common menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and vaginal discomfort. HRT supplements women with hormones that are lost during the menopausal transition, and it can be taken in the form of a pill, patch, vaginal ring, gel, or spray. The primary goal of HRT is to relieve symptoms associated with menopause.
It replaces female hormones that are at a lower level as you experience menopause. Estrogen therapies are numerous and include those native to the human ovary, such as estradiol and estriol, as well as conjugated equine estrogen (CEE). These hormones are correlated with a variety of adverse effects, including an increased risk of breast cancer, stroke, heart disease, and deep vein thrombosis. Hormone therapy has also been shown to prevent bone loss and reduce fractures in postmenopausal women.
This was a multifaceted trial, which included two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials on postmenopausal hormone therapy. Many factors will be part of a woman's decision to use a particular hormone product: her age, her risks, her preferences, the treatment options available, and the cost of the product. When deciding whether to have hormone replacement therapy (HRT), it's important to understand both the benefits and risks associated with it. The duration of treatment for these hormones should not exceed a few years and close monitoring is required.
If a woman has mild menopausal symptoms, the benefits and harms of these hormones should be reported. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be an effective way to alleviate menopausal symptoms and prevent bone loss in postmenopausal women. It is important to understand both the benefits and risks associated with HRT before deciding if it is right for you. Close monitoring is required for any woman taking HRT.
