“Any side effects usually improve over time,
so it’s a good idea to carry on with your treatment
for at least 3 months if possible”.1

Umbrella
What may the Hormone Therapy Side Effects Umbrella include?

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

  • Estrogen
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Side Effects
  • Hormone Therapy (HT) Side Effects
  • Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) Side Effects
  • Oestrogen
  • Progestin/Progestogen

Side Effects or Not

Can hormone therapy (HT) have side effects?

Yes. In Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Side Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) the (United Kingdom) NHS elaborate on:

“Like any medicine, the hormones used in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can cause side effects. But it’s common to have no side effects or only mild ones.

Any side effects usually improve over time, so it’s a good idea to carry on with your treatment for at least 3 months if possible.

To help with side effects, a GP might suggest changing your dose, the type of HRT you take or how you take it. For example, switching from tablets to patches”.2

Who is a GP?

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

Different Differences

Can the side effects of oestrogen differ from the side effects of progestogen?

Hormone Therapy Side EffectsHormone Therapy Side EffectsYes. In Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Side Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) the NHS include the “Side Effects of Oestrogen” and the “Side Effects of Progestogen”.

In Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Side Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Side Effects of Oestrogen Tablets, Patches, Gel and Spray the NHS include information about Brand names: Oestrogel, Evorel, Sandrena, Lenzetto, Estradot, Progynova.

Side Effects

What are some HT side effects?

In Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms – Q. Are there any side effects from hormone therapy? the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) explain:

“A. Sometimes women have side effects from hormone therapy. If any of these symptoms occurs, discuss them with a healthcare provider:

  • Uterine bleeding
  • Nausea
  • Breast tenderness or pain
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Fluid retention in arms or legs
  • Blurry vision
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Mood change”.3

In Menopause Management Options: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – Possible Side Effects of MHT the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) note:

“Everyone responds differently to MHT. Some women may not experience any side effects, while others may have:

  • Nausea
  • Fluid retention
  • Bloating
  • Breast enlargement and discomfort
  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Weight gain.

Most symptoms settle within the first three months”.4

Weight Gain

Is there an association between weight gain and HT?

In Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Side Effects – Weight Gain and HRT the NHS note:

“There’s little evidence that most types of HRT make you put on weight.

You may gain some weight during the menopause and as you get older, but this often happens whether you take HRT or not.

Exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet should help you to lose any unwanted weight”.5

Temporary or Not

Are HT side effects temporary?

In Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms – Q. Are there any side effects from hormone therapy? the NAMS note:

“Many side effects are temporary, so unless they are severe or include bleeding, give hormone therapy 3 months to see whether the discomfort resolves. Lowering the dose or switching to another type of estrogen or progestogen may help reduce side effects”.6

Health Care Provider

What if I need help with my HT side effects?

If you need help with your HT side effects, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

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

Hormone Therapy Side effects“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”.7

In Postmenopausal Bleeding: Living With – When Should I Contact My Doctor? the (United States) Cleveland Clinic also note:

“Contact your healthcare provider if you experience vaginal bleeding:

  • More than a year after your last menstrual period
  • More than a year after starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT)”.8

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Hormone Therapy Side Effects?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Links

Where may I find Links related to Hormone Therapy Side Effects?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Side Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy. Page Last Reviewed: 03 January 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/side-effects-of-hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/ Accessed: 10 November 2023
  2. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Side Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy. Page Last Reviewed: 03 January 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/side-effects-of-hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/ Accessed: 10 November 2023
  3. Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms – Q. Are there any side effects from hormone therapy? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-hormone-therapy-for-menopause-symptoms Accessed: 10 November 2023
  4. Menopause Management Options: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – Possible Side Effects of MHT: Break Through Bleeding. Last Updated: 04 September 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management Accessed: 10 November 2023
  5. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Side Effects – Weight Gain and HRT. Page Last Reviewed: 09 September 2019. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/side-effects/ Accessed: 10 November 2023
  6. Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms – Q. Are there any side effects from hormone therapy? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-hormone-therapy-for-menopause-symptoms Accessed: 10 November 2023
  7. Menopause Management Options: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – How Long Do You Need To Take MHT? Last Updated: 04 September 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management Accessed: 10 November 2023
  8. Postmenopausal Bleeding: Living With – When Should I Contact My Doctor? Last Reviewed: 26 May 2021. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21549-postmenopausal-bleeding Accessed: 10 November 2023
Topic Last Updated: 10 November 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 10 November 2023

Print Friendly, PDF & Email