HRT ( hormone replacement therapy ) also known as estrogen replacement therapy or menopausal hormone replacement therapy is a hormone replacement treatment that is used to ease symptoms associated with menopause. The most common treatments are: Estrogen, Progesterone, Progestin, Prempro, and premphase. Estrogen used alone can cause cancer of the lining of the uterus (endometrial cancer). According to the National Cancer Institute, about 5 cases of endometrial cancer may develop in every 10,000 women using this hormone for 10 years. This is about 4 more cases than we would expect in a group of 10,000 women who don't use estrogen. More importantly estrogen used alone can cause a thickening of the lining of the uterus and irregular bleeding. But, if you have had a total hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus and cervix), you can use estrogen alone (estrogen therapy or ET). Several types of estrogen are available. They come in many forms. You can use a pill or tablet, a skin patch, vaginal cream, vaginal ring insert, implant, or shot.

If you still have your uterus and want to take hormones, doctors will prescribe estrogen along with progesterone or one of several progestins, synthetic forms of progesterone. The progestin protects against endometrial cancer. Using estrogen and progesterone or a progestin is called estrogen plus progestin therapy or EPT. Progesterone or progestin is often taken as a pill, sometimes in the same pill as the estrogen. It is also available as a patch, an IUD (intrauterine device), a vaginal gel, suppository, or shot.

The form your doctor suggests may depend on your symptoms. For example, estrogen creams and tablets are used for vaginal dryness. The vaginal ring insert treats vaginal dryness and may help urinary tract symptoms. Pills or patches provide relief from annoying symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, and vaginal dryness. They will also prevent bone loss and help delay osteoporosis while you are using them and could improve your cholesterol levels. Some experts think they may help your memory if begun at menopause. But improving cholesterol or helping memory should not be the main reason you take menopausal hormone therapy.