Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a medical treatment that can help restore declining hormone levels—primarily estrogen and, when needed, progesterone—during perimenopause and menopause. It is most commonly used to treat menopausal symptoms in appropriate candidates.

As with any therapy, there are potential risks, which may include blood clots, stroke, breast cancer (with certain formulations and longer duration of use), and abnormal uterine bleeding. Risks vary depending on a woman’s age, health history, timing of initiation, dose, and route of delivery. In general, healthy women who are under age 60 or within 10 years of menopause onset and experiencing bothersome symptoms are often good candidates for treatment after individualized evaluation. HRT is not recommended for women with certain conditions such as unexplained vaginal bleeding, active or history of hormone-sensitive cancers, prior blood clots, stroke, severe liver disease, or pregnancy. We use evidence-based guidelines and shared decision-making to determine whether HRT is the right option for you.