Hormone replacement therapy, the administration of the female hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, and sometimes testosterone.
Therapeutic use of hormones to alleviate the effects of hormone deficiency.
Treatment for someone whose endocrine glands have been removed.
Treatment to relieve the symptoms of the menopause by supplying oestrogen and reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
A treatment in which a woman’s declining hormone levels are supplemented with additional hormones. The treatment, also known as HRT and as estrogen replacement therapy, is used to address the short-term symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbance, and for its potential benefits such as reducing the risk of osteoporosis. From puberty until menopause, the ovaries produce estrogen which causes the endometrium to thicken each month. If pregnancy does not occur, the endometrium is shed during the monthly period. As a woman ages, the ovaries gradually stop making enough estrogen to thicken the uterine lining, and eventually, the monthly period stops. When this happens, a woman is said to have experienced menopause.
The administration of supplemental conjugated estrogen and progestin to treat hormonal deficiency states, relieve menopausal vasomotor symptoms, and manage postmenopausal atrophic vaginitis. It may also be used, with caution, as adjunctive therapy for osteoporosis. HRT may increase a woman’s risk of dying from heart disease, pulmonary embolism, stroke, and breast and endometrial cancers.
The application of estrogen and progesterone to substitute the hormones that are no longer produced by the ovary. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is no longer employed as a prolonged treatment for women after menopause.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) involves the administration of synthetic or natural hormones to address hormone deficiencies. Typically, HRT pertains to the use of female hormones to replace those that are lost after menopause. This loss of hormones may happen naturally or can be a result of treatments like radiotherapy or the surgical removal of the ovaries.
When considering Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), it is crucial to carefully evaluate the advantages in light of potential risks. In the short term, HRT can alleviate symptoms caused by estrogen withdrawal, including night sweats, hot flushes, and vaginal dryness. To minimize risks, it is recommended to use the minimum effective dose for the shortest duration possible.
Over the long term, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) could offer protection against osteoporosis, a condition characterized by the loss of bone density, which may lead to fractures. However, currently, HRT is primarily prescribed for this purpose only when other treatments, like bisphosphonate drugs, are not feasible, unsuccessful, or for women who have experienced a premature menopause (before the age of 40).
HRT may lead to minor adverse effects, such as nausea, breast tenderness, fluid retention, and leg cramps. Additionally, there is an increased risk of abnormal blood clotting, potentially raising the likelihood of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Moreover, women using HRT have a higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to those who do not take it, and this risk escalates with prolonged usage.
The suitability of HRT varies from one woman to another, depending on individual factors. Women contemplating HRT should seek advice from their doctor, who will assess their unique situation and discuss the potential benefits and risks. Once HRT is initiated, regular reviews by a doctor are essential to monitor its effectiveness and make any necessary adjustments.
In women with a uterus, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) involves taking estrogen medication continuously throughout the 28-day cycle. To complement the estrogen, an additional progestogen drug is combined for ten to 13 days during the cycle. This progestogen induces bleeding similar to menstruation, which is crucial in preventing excessive thickening of the uterine lining and reducing the risk of uterine cancer.
In situations where a woman has not experienced menstruation for more than one year, continuous bleed-free HRT or a single drug with combined estrogenic and progestogenic effects, like tibolone, can be used. On the other hand, women who have undergone a hysterectomy only require estrogen drugs without the need for progestogen.
Oestrogen drugs can be administered through tablets, skin patches, gels, or implants, while progestogen drugs are available as tablets, skin patches, or vaginal gel.