Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a form of hormone therapy used to treat symptoms associated with female menopause. These symptoms include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, accelerated skin aging, decreased muscle mass, and bone loss. The main hormonal medications used in HRT are estrogens and progestogens. For women with an intact uterus, estrogen only therapy promotes endometrial thickening and increased risk of cancer, while adding progestogen reduces this risk. Androgens like testosterone are sometimes used as well. HRT is available through a variety of different routes, such as tablets, skin patches, gels, and vaginal creams or rings.
The long-term effects of HRT vary by age and time. The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) is an ongoing study of over 27,000 women that began in 1991, with the most recent analyses suggesting that, when initiated within 10 years of menopause, HRT reduces all-cause mortality and risks of coronary disease, osteoporosis, and dementia; after 10 years the beneficial effects on mortality and coronary heart disease are no longer apparent. Also, there is an increased risk of blood clots when taken orally. Risks and benefits also vary based on individual medical history and lifestyles, such as tobacco and alcohol consumption. Chinese medicine has demonstrated significant benefits in treating menopause symptoms by acupuncture, customized herbal and dietary therapy. The results are long-lasting and have fewer side effects.
