Hormone Therapy for Menopause

What is hormone therapy for menopause?

Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her menstrual periods stop. It is a normal part of aging. During menopause, the body makes much lower amounts of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Hormone therapy for menopause involves taking estrogen, with or without progesterone (or a similar hormone called progestin). The goal is to replace some of the hormones the body no longer makes and help relieve menopausal symptoms.

What does hormone therapy for menopause treat?

In the years leading up to menopause, and during menopause, hormone levels can rise and fall. These changes can cause symptoms for some women that may be mild and go away on their own. For others, symptoms may be more severe and affect daily life.

Lower hormone levels during menopause can cause symptoms such as:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Mood changes
• Vaginal dryness
• Pain during sex

Hormone therapy may help relieve these symptoms. It may also help protect against osteoporosis.

Who should not use hormone therapy for menopause?

Hormone therapy is not right for everyone. You should not use hormone therapy for menopause if you:

• Are pregnant or think that you may be pregnant
• Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Have had certain types of cancer
• Have had a stroke or heart attack
• Have had blood clots
• Have liver disease

Talk with your health care provider about your medical history before starting hormone therapy.

What are the types of hormone therapy for menopause?

There are different types of hormone therapy for menopause. If you had surgery to remove your uterus (hysterectomy) your provider may recommend estrogen only therapy. If you still have your uterus, your provider may recommend estrogen plus progesterone (or progestin) therapy.

Hormone therapy for menopause comes in several forms. Most are pills taken by mouth, but there are also skin patches, gels or sprays, vaginal creams, tablets, or rings.

Your provider can help you choose the type and form that's best for you.

What are the risks of hormone therapy for menopause?

Hormone therapy has some risks. For some women, it may increase the risk of:

• Blood clots
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Breast cancer
• Gallbladder disease

The level of risk depends on the type of hormone therapy, how long it is used, and your medical history and lifestyle.

You and your provider should talk about the risks and benefits. If you decide to use hormone therapy, it is usually recommended to use the lowest dose that helps and for the shortest time needed. Ask your provider how often you should follow up. Many recommend checking in every three to six months at first, then once a year after treatment is working well.

Food and Drug Administration