“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:
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?
Yes. 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:
- 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:
- 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:
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:
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:

In Postmenopausal Bleeding: Living With – When Should I Contact My Doctor? the (United States) Cleveland Clinic also note:
- 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:
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
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Side Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Side Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Side Effects of Oestrogen Tablets, Patches, Gel and Spray
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Vaginal Oestrogen: Side Effects of Vaginal Estrogen
- Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP #256
- 20 Years of Data Lead To Changes In Perceptions, Usage of Menopausal HT
- BMS & WHC’s 2020 Recommendations on Hormone Replacement Therapy In Menopausal Women
- BMS Statement on Testosterone
- BMS TV: HRT and Bleeding
- BMS TV: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
- BMS TV: Testosterone Explained
- Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
- Compounded Bioidentical Hormone Therapy [Video]
- Consumer Health: Menopause, Hormone Replacement Therapy and Heart Health
- Deciding About Hormone Therapy
- Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
- Dr Louise Newson: The Truth About the Menopause & HRT
- Endometrial Safety of Low-Dose Vaginal Estrogens
- Endometrial Safety of Low-Dose Vaginal Estrogens [Video]
- Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
- Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
- Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
- Guidance on Menopausal Hormone Therapy
- HRT
- HRT & Menopause Extra
- HRT and Alternatives
- HRT – Types, Doses and Regimens
- HRT: Benefits and Risks – What You Should Know
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) With Dr Nicky Peel & Prof. David Armstrong
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Alternatives To Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Benefits and Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Side Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Side Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Side Effects of Oestrogen Tablets, Patches, Gel and Spray
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Vaginal Oestrogen: Side Effects of Vaginal Estrogen
- Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
- Hot Flashes
- Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
- How To Find Relief for Hot Flashes At Night
- I Forgot To Ask the Doctor – E9: The Menopause: Can Every Woman That Wants It Have HRT?
- Is Menopause Making Me Put on Weight? No, But It’s Complicated
- 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
- Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) [+ Video: Is HRT Bad for You?]
- Managing Your Symptoms
- Menopausal Hormone Therapy
- Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer Risk
- Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Venous Thromboembolism
- Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Women’s Health: An Umbrella Review
- Menopausal Hormone Therapy, Heart Disease and Stroke
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms – Q. Are there any side effects from hormone therapy?
- Menopause Management Options: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (HRT)
- Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools – Questions for Your Health Care Provider
- Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
- Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
- Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 3. The Risks & Benefits of HRT
- Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 4. The Different Types of HRT
- Menopause Patient Information: 5. Lifestyle Advice In Menopause & Perimenopause
- Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Treating Vasomotor Symptoms of Menopause
- Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
- Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t
- Menopause and HRT
- Menopause, Perimenopause, Hormone Therapy and Other Treatments With Madelyn Butler, MD [Podcast]
- Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment
- Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Benefits and Risks of HRT [NICE Guideline]
- Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause [NICE Guideline]
- Menopause: Treatment
- Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
- Oestrogen Tablets, Patches, Gel and Spray
- Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Bleeding
- Questions To Ask Your GP About Menopause
- Risks and Benefits of MHT
- Side Effects of Hormone Therapy In Women
- The North American Menopause Society Releases Its 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement
- The Truth About Menopause Supplements | Dr Sarah Berry
- Therapy for the Effects of Menopause
- Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
- Using Natural Therapies In the Menopause Transition – Webinar
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal Dryness
- Video Series-2022: Hormone Therapy: Understanding the Risks and Benefits
- Video Series-2023: NAMS 2023 Nonhormone Therapies Position Statement for Bothersome Menopause Symptoms
- Video Series-2023: New FDA-Approved Nonhormone Option for the Treatment of Hot Flashes
- Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: A Simple Approach To Menopause: The Menopause Quick Six (www.MQ6.ca)
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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