Hormone Replacement Therapy – What You Need to Know

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What is it? Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment for women who have low hormone levels, like a woman going through menopause. HRT is also called estrogen (es-tro-jin) replacement therapy or ERT. With HRT a woman takes estrogen, and often progestin (pro-jes-tin), to help the symptoms caused by low hormone levels in her body.

What are hormones and how do they work?

What are the reasons I may not have enough estrogen?

What are the signs and symptoms of a low estrogen level? You can have physical and emotional changes when your estrogen level is low.

Will HRT help these symptoms? You may choose to take HRT to help or prevent the symptoms of low estrogen. Hot flashes and night sweats will occur less often and may possibly go away if you take estrogen. Estrogen helps prevent vaginal dryness and thinning of the tissue inside the vagina. Your chances of breaking a bone are much lower if you take estrogen. HRT may also improve your mood and memory. HRT may reduce your risk of heart disease.

Is HRT safe?

Are there side effects with HRT? Following are possible side effects of HRT.

How long do I need to take HRT? Bone loss is highest during the early years after menopause. To get the best results, HRT should start soon after the beginning of menopause. You should continue with HRT for at least 7 to 10 years. You and your caregiver can decide how long you should take HRT. You will need long-term treatment if you are trying to prevent heart disease or osteoporosis. Bone loss will begin right away when you stop taking HRT.

How do I take HRT?

Are there other ways to prevent bone loss or heart disease without HRT? Eating foods that are rich in calcium and low in fat is one way to control bone loss and heart disease. Caregivers may give you medicine to prevent bone loss or heart disease. Other ways to prevent bone loss and heart disease are to exercise regularly and to limit the amount of alcohol that you drink. You should not have more than 1 drink a day. A drink is 1 1/2 ounces of whiskey, 5 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of beer (regular or light). If you smoke, you should quit.

How often should I see my caregiver if I take HRT? Call your caregiver if you are bleeding from your vagina or have other side effects that are bothering you. You should see your caregiver every year for a check up. Your caregiver may want you to have the following tests.

Where can I get more information about HRT? You can call or write the following organizations for more information.

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan you must learn about hormone replacement therapy. You can then discuss the treatment options with caregivers. Work with them to decide what care will be used to treat your decreasing estrogen levels. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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Hormone Replacement Therapy - What You Need to Know