[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/05\/consider-hormone-therapy\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/05\/consider-hormone-therapy\/","headline":"Should I Consider Hormone Therapy?","name":"Should I Consider Hormone Therapy?","description":"

Hormone therapy can help relieve bothersome symptoms of menopause. Here are the facts about hormone therapy and how it can help you through menopause.<\/p>","datePublished":"2025-05-29","dateModified":"2025-08-07","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/women-regions","name":"UPMC Magee-Womens","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/women-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-magee-womens-hospital\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1394005278-e1748016334631.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1394005278-e1748016334631.jpg","height":866,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/05\/consider-hormone-therapy\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Women's Health"],"wordCount":1209,"articleBody":"If you’re going through menopause and your doctor suggests hormone therapy, you probably have some questions.First up are probably: What is hormone therapy? Is this treatment right for me? What are the signs that you need hormone therapy?Here\u2019s what you need to know about hormone therapy.What Is Hormone Therapy for Women?Hormone therapy (formerly called hormone replacement therapy or HRT) is a medical treatment for symptoms of menopause. Doctors use hormones to treat symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. Your doctor may recommend hormone therapy with estrogen, progestin, or both.You may take hormone therapy by mouth, as a patch on your skin, or as a cream or tablet in your vagina. Your doctor can talk to you about which form is right for you.What Is Menopause?Menopause is the time in your life when your periods stop. For most women, that\u2019s around 51 years old. Perimenopause is the transitional time before menopause, usually starting around your mid-40s.Some women go through menopause at a younger age.\u00a0Doctors use the term premature menopause for menopause that happens before the age of 40.Premature menopause may happen because you had your ovaries surgically removed. (Removal of the uterus, or hysterectomy, stops periods but doesn’t cause menopause.)What are common menopausal symptoms?Menopausal symptoms happen as your hormone levels start to decline. \u00a0You may have vasomotor symptoms like flushing, hot flashes, and night sweats. These can occur when shifting hormone levels suddenly widen and narrow your blood vessels.Other menopausal symptoms include:Brain fog.Depression.Frequent urination.Joint pain.Mood swings.Sleep problems.Thinning hair.Vaginal dryness.Weight gain around the waist.What Does Estrogen Do?Estrogen is a female sex hormone primarily produced by the ovaries. It regulates your menstrual cycle and plays a role in your reproductive health. But starting in perimenopause, your estrogen levels start to decline.By the time you reach menopause, your ovaries no longer release eggs and you don\u2019t have periods. You can’t become pregnant. (You can still become pregnant in perimenopause when your periods are irregular.)Types of Hormone TherapyThere are several types of hormone therapy. They help relieve menopausal symptoms by mimicking the hormones your body produces.Combination therapy \u2014 Combines estrogen and progesterone. If you still have a uterus, your doctor will prescribe this form of hormone therapy. It comes in pill, patch, or intrauterine device (IUD) forms.Estrogen therapy \u2014 For people who have had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). It comes in several forms, including pill, patch, and gel.Vaginal estrogen therapy \u2014\u00a0This method applies directly to the vagina. It comes in ring, tablet insert, and vaginal cream forms. It’s most effective at relieving symptoms like vaginal dryness and painful sex.Is Hormone Therapy Safe?For most women, hormone therapy is safe. Women with certain medical conditions shouldn\u2019t have hormone therapy. It\u2019s important to talk to your doctor about your medical history, so they can weigh the benefits and risks of hormone therapy.It\u2019s better to start taking hormone therapy when menopausal symptoms begin rather than waiting until symptoms get worse. Ongoing use of hormone therapy will depend on your symptoms, overall health, treatment goals, and personal preferences.Benefits of hormone therapyThe main benefit of hormone therapy is to reduce vasomotor symptoms. Most women on hormone therapy experience fewer hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, insomnia, and brain fog.Hormone therapy for menopause may also:Improve bladder function \u2014 Many menopausal women have an overactive bladder. You may have to pee less often when you take hormone therapy.Improve bone health \u2014 Osteoporosis is a potential side effect of menopause. Hormone therapy can help protect your bones and prevent fractures as you get older.Lower your risk of diabetes \u2014 Women who use hormone therapy have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.Lower your risk of heart disease \u2014Hormone therapy may lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, especially if you start taking it early in menopause.Provide vaginal relief \u2014\u00a0Low-dose vaginal estrogen therapy helps thinning vaginal walls, providing relief from vaginal dryness and painful sex.Risks of hormone therapyThat hormone therapy is dangerous is a myth. Overall, hormone therapy is safe. But for some women, the risks of hormone therapy may outweigh the benefits.You shouldn\u2019t take hormone therapy if you’ve ever had:Blood clotsBreast cancerEndometrial cancerHeart attackLiver diseaseStrokeUterine cancerThe risks of hormone therapy include:Blood clots \u2014 The risk of blood clots is higher with hormone therapy taken by mouth. Using a patch, gel, or spray limits risk.Breast cancer \u2014\u00a0You can use estrogen therapy for up to seven years before the risk of breast cancer increases. The risk goes up after three to five years for women who use combination therapy.Stroke \u2014 Hormone therapy may increase the risk of having a stroke, but this risk decreases when you stop taking it.Uterine cancer \u2014 The risk of uterine cancer is higher with estrogen therapy. If you still have a uterus, your doctor will recommend combination therapy.Other side effects of hormone therapyLike any medication, there are some common side effects with hormone therapy. They include:Breast tenderness.Irregular bleeding or spotting.Nausea.\u00a0Questions to Ask Your DoctorMany women find relief from menopause symptoms with hormone therapy.\u00a0Still, it\u2019s important to talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of hormone therapy and whether it’s right for you.Questions to ask include:How long will I take hormone therapy?How often do I need to take hormone therapy?What are the risks of hormone therapy given my medical history?What form of hormone therapy do you recommend?What is the lowest dose of estrogen for menopause symptoms?Other Ways to Treat Menopausal SymptomsWhether or not you take hormone therapy, lifestyle changes can help you manage bothersome symptoms of menopause. You can relieve hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms by:Developing good sleep habits \u2014 To help you sleep through the night, knock off screen time at least an hour before bedtime. Keep your room cool and dark and go to bed at the same time every night.Exercising for 30 minutes five times a week \u2014 Moving your body can help you sleep better, boost your mood, and calm menopausal symptoms. Try walking, biking, or swimming.Figuring out and avoiding your hot flash triggers \u2014 Alcohol, spicy foods, or caffeine can set off a hot flash or keep you up at night.Keeping it cool \u2014 Lower the temperature in your house.Maintaining a healthy weight \u2014 Being overweight or obese can make menopausal symptoms worse.Quitting smoking \u2014 Nicotine makes menopausal symptoms worse and is bad for your overall health.Trying relaxation techniques \u2014 Yoga, tai chi, and meditation can help relieve stress.Wearing lightweight clothing \u2014 Choose clothes made of breathable fabric like cotton. Layer pieces so you can remove outerwear during a hot flash.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on May 29, 2025, and was last reviewed on June 11, 2025.SourcesU.K. National Health Service. Benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Link\u00a0The Menopause Society. Hormone Therapy. LinkThe American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Hormone Therapy for Menopause. LinkMedlinePlus. Hormone Replacement Therapy. LinkStatPearls. Hormone Replacement Therapy. Link"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2025","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"05","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/\/05\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Should I Consider Hormone Therapy?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/05\/consider-hormone-therapy\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]