Mayo Clinic: Hormone Therapy

Menopause hormone therapy or Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is medication that contains the female hormones — estrogen or progesterone. Hormone therapy is prescribed by doctors and is  used to treat common symptoms related to menopause transition, including hot flashes and discomfort due to vaginal dryness or thinning. Hormone therapy is also prescribed to post-menopausal women at risk of osteoporosis ( i.e., bone loss and fracture-prone).

For many women, hormone therapy can successfully treat some of their most disruptive symptoms. However, depending on your medical history and that of your family, hormone therapy may pose greater health risks. Risks also depend on the dosage, duration and type of hormone therapy you’re taking. Because of this, hormone therapy should be tailored to the individual and regularly re-evaluated to ensure the benefits continue to outweigh the risks.