Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), now commonly referred to as hormone therapy (HT), involves a combination of estrogen and a progestogen. Estrogen therapy (ET) is specifically used to alleviate menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and vaginal dryness. It can also help prevent osteoporosis, which is a result of decreased estrogen levels. Vaginal estrogen products effectively address vaginal dryness and more severe vaginal changes, but due to minimal systemic absorption, they may not alleviate hot flashes or prevent osteoporosis.Using estrogen therapy without progestogen (unopposed ET) raises the risk of endometrial cancer. However, adding progestogen significantly reduces this risk by preventing the thickening of the uterine lining (endometrium) caused by estrogen. Hormone therapy is associated with certain health risks; women using combined estrogen and progestogen have a slightly elevated risk of developing breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and blood clots compared to those not on hormone therapy. For women taking estrogen alone, the risks include an increased likelihood of stroke and blood clots.While long-term hormone therapy is not recommended, it may still be beneficial for managing severe menopausal symptoms, especially in younger women. Healthcare providers can assist in evaluating the individual risks and benefits of estrogen or hormone therapy.
