Hormone Therapy Options

“Hormone therapy is available as a daily pill,
but it also may be taken as a skin patch,
gel, cream, spray, or vaginal ring”.1

Umbrella
What may the Hormone Therapy Options Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • HRT/HT/MHT Dose
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Forms/Medicines/Options/Preparations/Types/Ways To Take
  • Hormone Therapy (HT) Forms/Medicines/Options/Preparations/Types/Ways To Take
  • Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) Forms/Medicines/Options/Preparations/Types/Ways To Take

Not One-Size-Fits-All

Are HT options one-size-fits-all?

No. In HRT: Types, Doses and Regimes the (British) Women’s Health Concern explain:

“Many types of HRT are available and there is not one type, dose or regimen which suits all women. It is important to understand which hormones are used, why and how so that for each woman who chooses to take HRT, the treatment is individualised to best suit her needs, taking into account types of symptoms, medical history, period pattern if present and current national recommendations and guidelines”.2

Options

What are some hormone therapy (HT) options?

On page two in Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Pill or Non-Pill the North American Menopause (NAMS) note:

“Hormone therapy is available as a daily pill, but it also may be taken as a skin patch, gel, cream, spray, or vaginal ring. Non-pill forms may be more convenient. Hormone therapy pills need to be taken every day, but skin patches are changed only once or twice weekly, and the HT vaginal ring is changed only every 3 months. Hormone therapy taken in non-pill form enters your blood stream more directly, with less effect on the liver. Studies suggest that this may lower the risk of blood clots in the legs and lungs compared with HT taken as a pill”.3

In Menopause Management Options: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – How Do You Take MHT? the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health explain:


Hormone Therapy Options“MHT can be prescribed in different dosages and methods, depending on your needs and responses. For example, you might be prescribed pills, patches, gel, vaginal creams or an intrauterine device (IUD).

You may need to try different dosages or methods to find the right combination. Your doctor must supervise this process”.4

Dose

What is recommended about the dose of HT?

In Menopause: Menopause – Hormone Treatments the (United States) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) note:

“Menopause Hormone Therapy should always be used at the lowest dose that helps and for the shortest time that you need it”.5

In Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Overview – How To Get Started on HRT the NHS also note:

“You’ll usually start with a low dose, which may be increased at a later stage. It may take a few weeks to feel the effects of treatment and there may be some side effects at first.

A GP will usually recommend trying treatment for 3 months to see if it helps. If it does not, they may suggest changing your dose, or changing the type of HRT you’re taking”.6

Who is a GP?

Dots and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) a GP may be a registered general practitioner, a medical practitioner, a medical doctor or a doctor.

Vaginal Oestrogen

When may vaginal oestrogen be used?

On page two in the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause first published online 10 June 2022, one of the recommendations is:

  • “Low-dose and ultra-low dose vaginal oestrogen preparations can be taken by perimenopausal and menopausal women experiencing genitourinary symptoms and continued for as long as required. All vaginal oestrogen preparations have been shown to be effective in this context and there is no requirement to combine vaginal oestrogens with systemic progestogen treatment for endometrial protection, as low-dose and ultra-low dose vaginal oestrogen preparations do not result in significant systemic absorption or endometrial hyperplasia”.7

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help to choose what HT to use?

If you would like help to choose what HT to use, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

On page two in Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Hormone Therapy Options the NAMS explain:

“Each woman must make her own decision about HT with the help of a healthcare professional. If you decide to take HT, the next step is to choose between the many HT options available to find the best dose and route for you. With guidance from your healthcare professional, you can try different forms of HT until you find the type and dose that treats your symptoms with few adverse effects”.8

What if I have any concerns about HT?

In Menopause Management: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – How Long Do You Need To Take MHT? the JH note:

“It can take around six months to find the right MHT. Once you’ve found an MHT that works for you, it’s important to review it with your doctor each year”.9

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Hormone Therapy Options?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Hormone Therapy Options?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. BMS & WHC’s 2020 Recommendations on Hormone Replacement Therapy In Menopausal Women
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  3. BMS TV: Testosterone Explained
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  7. Deciding About Hormone Therapy
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  14. Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  15. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
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  21. HRT: Benefits and Risks
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  24. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  25. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) With Dr Nicky Peel & Prof. David Armstrong
  26. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Types
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  28. Hormone Therapy for Menopause
  29. Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms
  30. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
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  33. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
  34. How To Find Relief for Hot Flashes At Night
  35. I Forgot To Ask the Doctor – E9: The Menopause: Can Every Woman That Wants It Have HRT?
  36. Index To Drug-Specific Information [United States]
  37. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause
  38. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) [+ Video: Is HRT Bad for You?]
  39. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Treating Menopause Symptoms [+ Video: Does the Menopause Happen Suddenly?]
  40. Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
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    Hormone Therapy Options
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  53. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 3. The Risks & Benefits of HRT
  54. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 4. The Different Types of HRT
  55. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Treating Vasomotor Symptoms of Menopause
  56. Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
  57. Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t
  58. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment
  59. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause [NICE Guideline]
  60. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
  61. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  62. Oestrogen Only Menopausal Hormone Therapy
  63. Practical Prescribing Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  64. Risks and Benefits of MHT
  65. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  66. Tipos de Hormonoterapia
  67. Types of Hormone Therapy
  68. Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  69. Urogenital Problems
  70. Vaginal Dryness
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  72. Video Series-2022: Hormone Therapy: Understanding the Risks and Benefits
  73. Video Series-2023: Lifestyle Modification and Prevention of Breast Cancer
  74. Webinars: Previous – 2021 Vision: Practical Steps To Optimize Your Benefit-Risk. Discussions for A New Decade
  75. Webinars: Previous – Breast Cancer
  76. Webinars: Previous – Progestogen, Progestin, Progesterone: Why All the Confusion?
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  78. Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me This? Episode 3: Dr Annice Mukherjee: Your Essential Menopause Toolkit

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Pill or Non-Pill. 2022:2. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/professional/menonote-deciding-about-ht-2022.pdf Accessed: 31 March 2023
  2. HRT: Types, Doses and Regimes. Published Date: September 2021. British Menopause Society https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/hrt-types-doses-and-regimens/ Accessed: 31 March 2023
  3. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Pill or Non-Pill. 2022:2. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/professional/menonote-deciding-about-ht-2022.pdf Accessed: 31 March 2023
  4. Menopause Management Options: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – How Do You Take MHT? Last Updated: 27 March 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management#menopausal-hormone-therapy-mht Accessed: 31 March 2023
  5. Menopause: Menopause – Hormone Treatments. Content Current As of: 22 August 2019. Food and Drug Administration https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ByAudience/ForWomen/WomensHealthTopics/ucm117978.htm Accessed: 31 March 2023
  6. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Overview – How To Get Started on HRT. Page Last Reviewed: 09 September 2019. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/#how-to-get-started-on-hrt Accessed: 31 March 2023
  7. Hamoda, H., Mukherjee, A., Morris, E., Baldeweg, S. E., Jayesena, C. N., Briggs, P., Moger, S. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published Online 10 June 2022:3-4. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20533691221104879 Accessed: 31 March 2023
  8. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Hormone Therapy Options. 2022:2. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/professional/menonote-deciding-about-ht-2022.pdf Accessed: 31 March 2023
  9. Menopause Management Options: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – How Long Do You Need To Take MHT? Last Updated: 27 March 2022 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management#menopausal-hormone-therapy-mht Accessed: 31 March 2023
Topic Last Updated: 28 April 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 31 March 2023

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