Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

About

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment used to help menopause symptoms. It replaces the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which fall to low levels as you approach the menopause. Menopause symptoms HRT can help to treat include: hot flushes night sweats sleep problems mood swings anxiety and low mood vaginal dryness Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels. It usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55 but it can happen earlier. It affects anyone who has periods. Oestrogen and progesterone are an essential part of period cycles, ovulation and pregnancy. They also keep your bones healthy. As you get older, the loss of these hormones can have a big effect on your body. To replace these hormones, you'll usually take a combination of oestrogen and progestogen. If you've had a hysterectomy to remove your womb you can take oestrogen on its own. Find out more about menopause You can usually take HRT if you're having menopause symptoms. But HRT may not be suitable if you: have a history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer or womb cancer have a history of blood clots – you may need to use patches or gels rather than tablets have untreated high blood pressure – your blood pressure will need to be controlled before you can start HRT have liver disease are pregnant – it's still possible to get pregnant while taking HRT, so it's important to use contraception until 2 years after your last period if you're under 50, or for 1 year after the age of 50 If any of these apply to you, alternatives to HRT may be recommended instead. you're over 45 years old and think you're having menopause symptoms and you're considering starting HRT you're under 45 years old and think you're having menopause symptoms – this may be premature menopause or early menopause Find out more about early or premature menopause Before you see a GP, it's a good idea to be prepared so you get exactly what you need from the appointment. If your periods have changed in recent