Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medicine-based treatment used to relieve symptoms of menopause.
There are different types of HRT. A doctor will help you choose the best type for you. HRT medicine comes as tablets, skin patches, gels, vaginal creams, pessaries, or rings.
Uses of HRT
HRT replaces hormones that are at a low level as you approach menopause.
It helps relieve most of the menopausal symptoms, such as:
- hot flushes;
- night sweats;
- mood swings;
- vaginal dryness;
- reduced sex drive.
Many of these symptoms pass in a few years, but they can be unpleasant. Taking HRT can relieve symptoms for many women. HRT can also help reduce the risk of:
- weakening of the bones (osteoporosis) – this is more common after menopause;
- heart-related diseases – if you start it before you are 60 years of age.
Starting HRT
Talk to a doctor if you want to start HRT. They’ll tell you the different types of HRT available. You can usually begin HRT as soon as you start having menopausal symptoms. Depending on your age, you do not usually need to have any tests first.
Some types of HRT can slightly increase your risk of certain serious problems, such as blood clots and breast cancer. But the benefits outweigh the risks for most women.
Dose
You’ll usually start on a low dose. It may take a few weeks to feel that the treatment is working. You might also have some side effects. A doctor will normally advise you to stay on the treatment for at least 3 months.
After 3 months, if you feel that the treatment is not working, your GP may change your dose or the type of HRT you’re taking.
Weight gain and HRT
Many women believe that taking HRT will make them put on weight. But there’s no evidence to support this claim.
Check if you can have HRT
Most women can have HRT if they have symptoms related to menopause.
But a doctor may recommend alternatives to HRT if you:
- have had breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or womb cancer;
- have had blood clots;
- have untreated high blood pressure – your blood pressure will need to be controlled before you can start HRT;
- have liver disease;
- are pregnant.
Pregnancy and HRT
It’s still possible to get pregnant while on HRT.
HRT may not be safe for you or your baby.
If you do not want to get pregnant, you should use contraception until 2 years after your last period if you’re under 50 or for 1 year after the age of 50.
Contact a doctor immediately if you become pregnant while on HRT
Stopping HRT
Talk to a doctor about how long you should have HRT. Most women stop taking it when their menopausal symptoms pass. This is usually after a few years.
Gradually decreasing your HRT dose is usually recommended. This is less likely to cause your symptoms to come back.
Talk to a doctor if you have:
- symptoms that continue for several months after you stop HRT;
- severe symptoms.
You may need to start HRT again.
Side effects of HRT
HRT can cause side effects. But these usually pass within 3 months.
Talk to a doctor if you have severe side effects or your side effects continue for longer than 3 months.
A doctor may recommend:
switching to a different way of taking progestogen or estrogen
changing the specific medicine you’re taking
lowering your dose
Side effects of estrogen
The main side effects of taking estrogen include:
- bloating;
- breast tenderness or swelling;
- swelling in other parts of the body;
- feeling sick;
- leg cramps;
- headaches;
- indigestion;
- vaginal bleeding.
These side effects often pass in a few weeks.
You can relieve some of these side effects by:
- taking your estrogen dose with food – this may help to reduce feelings of sickness and indigestion;
- eating a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet – this may reduce breast tenderness;
- taking regular exercise and stretching – may help reduce leg cramps.
Side effects of progestogen
The main side effects of taking progestogen include:
- breast tenderness;
- swelling;
- headaches or migraines;
- mood swings;
- depression;
- acne;
- tummy (abdominal) pain;
- back pain;
- vaginal bleeding.
These usually pass in a few weeks.
Get in touch with our medical expert to learn more.