Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) | healthdirect

On this pageWhat is MHT/HRT?

Menopausal hormonal therapy (MHT), formerly called hormone replacement therapy (HRT), is when hormones are used to treat the symptoms of menopause, especially hot flushes and night sweats. There are benefits and risks with MHT, so it is important to talk to your doctor if you are considering it.

The main types of MHT are based on hormones, such as oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone, that occur naturally in the body.

During menopause, hormone levels go up and down, resulting in symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats.

MHT helps restore hormone levels, which may improve some menopause symptoms.

The main hormone used in MHT is oestrogen. In women who have not had a hysterectomy, progesterone needs to be taken at the same time to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer.

Some women benefit from a low-dose testosterone replacement to improve low libido, lack of energy and fatigue.

Other forms of MHT are Tibolone or Duavive tablets.

MHT can be taken as:

MHT/HRT is usually helpful if you experience problems with hot flushes and night sweats. Mood, sleep and sex drive problems may also improve. Some women also say they find improvements in joint aches, vaginal dryness and incontinence.

The main risk is that some types of MHT lead to a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer or thrombosis (blood clots in the legs or lungs). However, it can prevent other conditions such as osteoporosis, heart disease, fractures, diabetes and some types of cancers.

Current international recommendations say that the benefits outweigh the risks in women who are having significant symptoms from menopause, and that MHT is effective and safe for most healthy women.

Some women have side effects such as nausea, fluid retention, bloating, breast tenderness and swelling, and irregular bleeding. These often go away with time.

MHT may not be suitable for you if you have or have had:

The risks of MHT depend on your age, the type and dose of hormone therapy you take, duration of treatment, and your medical history.

Talk to your doctor to find out which risks apply to you. If you are unable to take MHT, your doctor may suggest other medications that may be helpful.

You can minimise the risks associated with MHT by:

If you are interested in taking MHT, please talk to your doctor to see if it is right for you.

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Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) | healthdirect