“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.

Definition

What is hormone therapy (HT)?

DotS the definition of HT 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”.2

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

“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”.3

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)”.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

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.

Contraceptive or Not

Is HT a contraceptive?

No. On page four in Contraception for the Older Woman: Hormone Replacement Therapy the WHC note:

“It is important to realise that HRT is not a method of contraception”.6

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”.7

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”.8

Dose, Duration and Follow Up

What does the FDA note about choosing to use HT?

In 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”.9

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”.10

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 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, first published online, 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”.11

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”.12

Benefits and Risks

What are the benefits and risks of HT?

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

“The benefits and risks of taking HRT depend on your age, your menopause symptoms and any risk factors you have.

If you’re under 60 years old, have menopause symptoms, and are not at high risk of breast cancer or blood clots, the benefits of HRT are likely to outweigh the risks.

Talk to a GP, who will help you decide”.13

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”.14

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”.15

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”.16

Health Topics A-Z

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

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Links

Where may I find Links related to Hormone Therapy?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

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: 01 December 2023
  2. Menopause Management Options: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – What Is MHT? Last Updated: 28 November 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management Accessed: 01 December 2023
  3. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): About Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Page Last Reviewed: 07 February 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/about-hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/ Accessed: 01 December 2023
  4. 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: 01 December 2023
  5. Menopause Glossary: H – Hormone Therapy (HT). North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-glossary#H Accessed: 01 December 2023
  6. Contraception for the Older Woman: Hormone Replacement Therapy. Updated: November 2022:4. British Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/contraception-older-woman/ Accessed: 01 December 2023
  7. 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: 01 December 2023
  8. HRT: Which HRT? Publication Date: November 2021. Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/hrt/ Accessed: 01 December 2023
  9. 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: 01 December 2023
  10. 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: 01 December 2023
  11. 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 12 June 2022. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20533691221104879 Accessed: 01 December 2023
  12. 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: 01 December 2023
  13. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Benefits and Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Page Last Reviewed: 08 February 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/benefits-and-risks-of-hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/ Accessed: 01 December 2023
  14. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 25 May 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401 Accessed: 01 December 2023
  15. 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: 01 December 2023
  16. Menopause Management Options: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – How Long Do You Need To Take MHT? Last Updated: 28 November 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management Accessed: 01 December 2023
Topic Last Updated: 22 February 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 01 December 2023

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