Hormone Therapy

“Hormone therapy is one of the most effective treatments available for bothersome hot flashes and night sweats. If hot flashes and night sweats are disrupting your daily…”.1

Umbrella
What may the Hormone Therapy Umbrella include?

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

  • Hormone (Replacement) Therapy H(R)T
  • Hormone Medicines
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  • Hormone Therapy (HT)
  • Hormones
  • Medicines for Hormone Replacement Therapy
  • Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
  • Menopause Hormone Medicines
  • Menopause Medicines

Date

What can it be important to be clear about with hormone therapy (HT) information?

It can be important to be clear about the date of all information including the date of HT information, because this information may have been updated.

Symptoms or Chronic Conditions

What can it also be important to be clear about with HT information?

It can also be important to be clear about whether HT information is about the use of HT for the management of menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness or for the prevention of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and osteoporosis.

HT or HRT

Is HT the new HRT?

In Hormone Help Desk: ET, EPT, and More the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) explain:

“Hormone therapy (HT) – HT is another umbrella term your healthcare provider might use that refers to either ET or EPT. The term “hormone replacement therapy” is no longer used by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or The North American Menopause Society because the goal of HT is to provide the amount of hormones required to relieve symptoms, not “replace” the amount produced before menopause. It is considered normal to have low estrogen and progesterone after menopause. Menopause is not a deficiency disease”.2

ET

What is ET?

ET can be an abbreviation for Estrogen Therapy.

EPT

What is EPT?

EPT can be an abbreviation for Estrogen Plus Progestogen Therapy.

Menopausal Hormone Therapy

What is menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)?

DotS the definition of MHT may vary. In Menopause Management Options: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – What Is MHT? the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) definition is:


Hormone Therapy“Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), formerly known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), helps manage menopausal symptoms when they interfere with your life. Menopausal symptoms are caused by lowering levels of oestrogen hormones. MHT is the medical replacement of female hormones oestrogen and progesterone, and sometimes testosterone”.3

In Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Overview the (United Kingdom) NHS’s definition is:

“Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment to relieve symptoms of the menopause. It replaces hormones that are at a lower level as you approach the menopause”.4

In Menopause Glossary: H – Hormone Therapy (HT) the NAMS’s definition is:

“Hormone therapy (HT). Prescription drugs used most often when treating menopause symptoms. Encompasses ET and EPT”.5

In Glossary of Terms: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)/ Hormone Therapy (HT) the Australasian Menopause Society’s (AMS) definition is:

“MHT are hormones that are prescribed during the menopause transition and menopause to alleviate oestrogen deficiency symptoms such as hot flushes, mood swings, vaginal dryness and to prevent or treat osteoporosis. MHT is also recommended for women with premature ovarian insufficiency.

Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) is the term for what was formerly referred to as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)”.6

The Pill

Is the pill the same as HT?

No. ‘The pill’ or the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) is not the same as HT. In Estrogen & Hormones: Overview – Is HRT the Same As Birth Control? the (United States) Cleveland Clinic explain:

“No. Although women who take birth control pills are also taking estrogen and progestin, the effect is not the same. Women who take birth control pills have not been through menopause and need higher levels of hormones to prevent ovulation. HRT is not a high enough strength to stop ovulation.

After menopause, estrogen levels are low and HRT is used at a low dose to restore hormone levels to a more normal level”.7

Effective or Not

How effective is HT?

On page one in Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Benefits, published July 2022, the NAMS note:

“Hormone therapy is one of the most effective treatments available for bothersome hot flashes and night sweats. If hot flashes and night sweats are disrupting your daily activities and sleep, HT may improve sleep and fatigue, mood, ability to concentrate, and overall quality of life”.8

Types

Are there different types of HT?

Yes. In HRT: Which HRT? the (British) Women’s Health Concern explain:

“The type of HRT most suited to a woman will depend on a variety of factors, including her stage in the menopausal process, and whether or not she has had a hysterectomy. Most forms of HRT combine different amounts of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone (synthetic progesterone is called progestogen).

There are over 50 different combinations of HRT currently available. Most women will make their choice whether to take HRT, and which form of HRT to take, with the help of their doctor”.9

In Making Sense of Menopausal Hormone Therapy Means Understanding the Benefits As Well As the Risks: What Is Menopause Hormone Therapy? the author explains:

“Oestrogen is usually taken in tablet form, but can be applied as a skin patch or skin gel, or as a vaginal pessary. Progesterone is taken as a capsule. There are a range of single formulations and combinations, so the dose and formulation of MHT should be tailored to each woman’s health profile and personal preferences”.10

Dose, Duration and Follow Up

What does the FDA note about choosing to use HT?

In Menopause: Hormone Treatments? the FDA note:

“Menopause Hormone Therapy should always be used at the lowest dose that helps and for the shortest time that you need it”.11

In BMS & WHC’s 2020 Recommendations on Hormone Replacement Therapy In Menopausal Women: Summary Consensus Statement – Key Points the British Menopause Society and Women’s Health Concern (BMS & WHC) also note:

“The HRT dosage, regimen and duration should be individualised, with annual evaluation of advantages and disadvantages”.12

2022 Joint Position Statement

What does 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, include about HT?

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 the 22 recommendations and more, include:

  • “The decision whether to take HRT, the dose and duration of its use should be made on an individualised basis after discussing the benefits and risks with each patient. This should be considered in the context of the overall benefits obtained from using HRT including symptom control and improving quality of life as well as considering the bone and cardiovascular benefits associated with HRT use. Discussions with women should also cover aspects such as when to consider stopping HRT and how this can be done (by gradually reducing the dose of HRT). No arbitrary limits should be set on age or duration of HRT intake”.13

2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement of The NAMS

What does The 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society, published July 2022, note about HT?

In The 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society the NAMS note:

“Hormone therapy remains the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and the genitourinary syndrome of menopause and has been shown to prevent bone loss and fracture. The risks of hormone therapy differ depending on type, dose, duration of use, route of administration, timing of initiation, and whether a progestogen is used. Treatment should be individualized using the best available evidence to maximize benefits and minimize risks, with periodic reevaluation of the benefits and risks of continuing therapy”.14

Benefits and Risks

What are the benefits and risks of HT?

In Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Risks the NHS note:

“When deciding whether to have hormone replacement therapy (HRT), it’s important to understand the benefits and risks”.15

In Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment the (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

“Before deciding on any form of treatment, talk with your doctor about your options and the risks and benefits involved with each. Review your options yearly, as your needs and treatment options may change”.16

HRT Supply In UK, February 2023

What if I am experiencing difficulty obtaining HRT in the UK (United Kingdom)?

If you are experiencing this difficulty, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

Information about this HRT supply shortage includes:

Health Care Provider

What if I to choose to use HT?

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

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

“Each woman must make her own decision about HT with the help of her 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 health care professional, you can try different forms of HT until you find the type and dose that treats your symptoms with few adverse effects”.17

The JH also 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”.18

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Hormone Therapy?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Hormone Therapy?

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. 20 Years of Data Lead To Changes In Perceptions, Usage of Menopausal HT
  2. 9 Myths and Misunderstandings About Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
  3. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  4. BMS & WHC’s 2020 Recommendations on Hormone Replacement Therapy In Menopausal Women
  5. Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
  6. Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  7. Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
  8. Bleeding – Perimenopausal, Postmenopausal and Breakthrough Bleeding on MHT/HRT
  9. British Menopause Society Update on HRT Supply [Last Updated: 09 February 2023]
  10. Can Hormone Replacement Therapy Prevent Menopause Brain Changes?
  11. Combined Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
  12. Complementary and Alternative Therapies Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  13. Compounded Bioidentical Hormone Therapy [Video]
  14. Consumer Health: Menopause, Hormone Replacement Therapy and Heart Health
  15. Deciding About Hormone Therapy
  16. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  17. Dr Gail Busby – I Forgot To Ask the Doctor – Episode 9 The Menopause
  18. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Women’s Profiles
  19. Estrogen & Hormones: Estrogen and the Cardiovascular System
  20. Estrogen and Progestin (Hormone Replacement Therapy)
  21. Estrogen, Hormone Therapy and Menopause
  22. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  23. Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  24. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  25. HRT
  26. HRT & Menopause Extra
  27. HRT and Bleeding Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  28. HRT and Breast Cancer: Overall Risks and Benefits Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  29. HRT and the Risk of Breast Cancer Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  30. HRT – Types, Doses and Regimens
  31. HRT: Benefits and Risks
  32. HRT: The History
  33. Hormone Replacement Therapy
  34. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  35. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  36. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) With Dr Nicky Peel & Prof. David Armstrong
  37. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Risks
  38. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Types
  39. Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe, Despite Rare Blood Clot Risks From Tablets
  40. Hormone Therapy
  41. Hormone Therapy In Postmenopausal Persons: Primary Prevention of Chronic Conditions
  42. Hormone Therapy for Menopause
  43. Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms
  44. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  45. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
  46. Hot Flashes? Night Sweats? Progesterone Can Help Reduce Symptoms of Menopause
  47. Jean Hailes MHT Position Statement
  48. 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
  49. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) [+ Video: Is HRT Bad for You?]
  50. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  51. Looking At HRT In Perspective
  52. MHT Still Maligned & Misunderstood: Expert
  53. Making Sense of Menopausal Hormone Therapy Means Understanding the Benefits As Well As the Risks
  54. Managing Menopause
  55. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Estrogen Replacement Therapy After Ovary Removal
  56. Menopausal Hormone Therapy
  57. Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer Risk
  58. Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Venous Thromboembolism
  59. Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Women’s Health: An Umbrella Review
  60. Menopausal Hormone Therapy and the Mind: The Role of Hormone Replacement In the Prevention and Treatment of Cognitive Decline, Dementia, and Cognitive Dysfunction of Depression
  61. Menopausal Hormone Therapy – Fact Sheet
  62. Menopausal Hormone Therapy, Heart Disease and Stroke
  63. Menopause
  64. Menopause & Hormones Common Questions
  65. Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms
  66. Menopause Hormone Therapy: Does It Cause Vaginal Bleeding?
  67. Menopause Management Options: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
  68. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Hormone Therapy
  69. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  70. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 3. The Risks & Benefits of HRT
  71. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 4. The Different Types of HRT
  72. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Treating Vasomotor Symptoms of Menopause
  73. Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
  74. Menopause Treatment
  75. Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t – Menopausal Hormone Therapy
  76. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment
  77. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause [NICE Guideline]
  78. Menopause: HRT’s Brain-Protecting Effect May Be Overstated
  79. Menopause: Menopause – Hormone Treatments
  80. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact
  81. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms In Depth
  82. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  83. Oestrogen Only Menopausal Hormone Therapy
  84. Risks and Benefits of MHT
  85. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
  86. The 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society
  87. The Effect of Hormone Replacement Therapy on the Survival of UK Women: A Retrospective Cohort Study 1984−2017
  88. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  89. Treating Menopause — MHT and Beyond
  90. Types of Hormone Therapy
  91. Venous Thrombosis/Thromboembolism Risk and Menopausal Treatments
  92. Video Series-2021: Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues
  93. Video Series-2022: Hormone Therapy: Understanding the Risks and Benefits
  94. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  95. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: Prevention of Chronic Diseases In Women: Where Does MHT Fit In?
  96. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: The Women’s Health Initiative – What Can We Believe?
  97. What Are the Benefits and Risks of HRT?
  98. What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Benefits. 2022:1. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/professional/menonote-deciding-about-ht-2022.pdf Accessed: 15 February 2023
  2. Hormone Help Desk: ET, EPT, and More – Hormone Therapy (HT). North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/menopause-symptoms-and-treatments/hormone-help-desk-et-ept-and-more Accessed: 15 February 2023
  3. Menopause Management Options: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – What Is MHT? Last Updated: 08 September 2022 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2021. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management Accessed: 15 February 2023
  4. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Overview. Page Last Reviewed: 09 September 2019. NHS  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/ Accessed: 15 February 2023
  5. Menopause Glossary: H – Hormone Therapy (HT). North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-glossary#H Accessed: 15 February 2023
  6. Glossary of Terms: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)/ Hormone Therapy (HT). Content Updated: February 2022. Australasian Menopause Society’s https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/381-glossary-of-terms Accessed: 15 February 2023
  7. Estrogen & Hormones: Overview – Is HRT the Same As Birth Control? Reviewed: 29 April 2019. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16979-estrogen–hormones Accessed: 15 February 2023
  8. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Benefits. 2022:1. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/professional/menonote-deciding-about-ht-2022.pdf Accessed: 15 February 2023
  9. HRT: Which HRT? Publication Date: November 2021. Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/hrt/ Accessed: 15 February 2023
  10. Davis, S. Making Sense of Menopausal Hormone Therapy Means Understanding the Benefits As Well As the Risks: What Is Menopause Hormone Therapy? 18 November 2019. https://theconversation.com/making-sense-of-menopausal-hormone-therapy-means-understanding-the-benefits-as-well-as-the-risks-124084 Accessed: 15 February 2023
  11. 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: 15 February 2023
  12. BMS & WHC’s 2020 Recommendations on Hormone Replacement Therapy In Menopausal Women: Summary Consensus Statement – Key Points. Updated March 2021. British Menopause Society and Women’s Health Concern https://thebms.org.uk/publications/consensus-statements/bms-whcs-2020-recommendations-on-hormone-replacement-therapy-in-menopausal-women/ Accessed: 15 February 2023
  13. 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. 12 June 2022. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20533691221104879 Accessed: 15 February 2023
  14. The 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause: July 2022 – Volume 29 – Issue 7 – p 767-794 https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/Abstract/2022/07000/The_2022_hormone_therapy_position_statement_of_The.4.aspx Accessed: 15 February 2023
  15. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Risks. Page Last Reviewed:09 September 2019. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/risks/ Accessed: 15 February 2023
  16. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 17 December 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401 Accessed: 15 February 2023
  17. 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: 15 February 2023
  18. Menopause Management Options: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – How Long Do You Need To Take MHT? Last Updated: 08 September 2022 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2021. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management Accessed: 15 February 2023
Topic Last Updated: 15 February 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 15 February 2023

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
/by