Overview

Hormone therapy (HT) is medicine to treat symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and sleep problems. It replaces the hormones that drop at menopause. You may start to get relief from these symptoms within weeks of starting HT.

Hormone therapy often contains two hormones, estrogen and progestin. HT may come in the form of a pill, patch, gel, spray, or vaginal ring. A vaginal cream, a vaginal tablet, or a vaginal ring that has a much lower dose of estrogen may be used to relieve dryness and other tissue changes in and around the vagina.

HT has some risks. It may increase the chances of heart disease, breast cancer, blood clots, and stroke. Be sure to have regular checkups with your doctor when taking HT.

Talk with your doctor about whether HT is right for you.

Why might you take HT?

• HT reduces symptoms of menopause. These include hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep problems.
• HT helps to build up the lining of the vagina and improve lubrication. This can reduce irritation.
• The estrogen in HT helps to prevent thinning bones.

What are the risks of taking HT?

• Sometimes HT may cause vaginal bleeding, bloating, nausea, sore breasts, mood swings, and headaches. Talk to your doctor about changing the type of HT you take or lowering the dose. This may help to end these side effects.
• Taking HT may slightly increase your risk for heart disease, breast cancer, blood clots, and stroke.
• You should not take HT if you:
  • Could be pregnant.
  • Have a personal history of pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, heart attack, or stroke.
  • Have vaginal bleeding from an unknown cause.
  • Have active liver disease.

• Most people with a personal history of breast cancer or endometrial cancer should not take HT. But it may be an option for some. Ask your doctor.