Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is sometimes used on a short-term basis to relieve unpleasant menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and irritability. On a long-term basis, some women have used HRT based on the idea that it would reduce the risk of
osteoporosis
and
heart disease. However, results of studies on estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) and estrogen plus progestin suggest that the risks of long-term HRT may outweigh the benefits for many women.
HRT can include the hormones estrogen alone, or the combination of estrogen and progesterone. If you're considering HRT for the first time, or want to talk to your doctor about changing the regimen you're presently on, here's a rundown of options.
Therapies containing just estrogen are commonly referred to as estrogen replacement therapy, or ERT. Because of the increased risk of endometrial cancer (lining of the uterus), long-term ERT is usually only offered to women who have had uterus removal (hysterectomy).
ERT can be administered in a variety of ways, including oral medications, patches, creams, and gels. Systemic ERT delivers estrogen so that it circulates throughout the body, whereas local ERT delivers estrogen to a particular area of the body, such as the vagina to treat vaginal dryness or vaginal atrophy.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is treatment that combines ERT (estrogen only) with a form of the hormone progesterone. This may consist of natural progesterone or a synthetic progesterone, called progestin. Both forms are also called progestogens.
There are several HRT schedules and methods of delivery available, including:
Potential side effects and risks of HRT are basically the same as those listed for ERT. Long-term HRT may slightly, but significantly, increase the risk of strokes, blood clots, heart attacks, breast cancer, gallstones, and gallbladder disease. Adding progesterone however, eliminates the increased risk of endometrial cancer caused by estrogen alone. This applies to women who have not had their uterus removed.
If you are currently taking estrogen or combined estrogen and progesterone or were thinking about starting, talk to your doctor about the right therapy for you.
National Institute on Aging
http://www.nia.nih.gov
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
http://www.acog.org
Canadian Women's Health Network
http://www.cwhn.ca
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
http://www.sogc.org
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Last reviewed May 2016 by Michael Woods, MD
Last Updated: 5/3/2016