What is hormone replacement therapy?

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) provides women with the female hormones that decrease as they age. When the hormone estrogen is given alone, it is usually referred to as "ERT." When the hormone progestin is combined with estrogen, it is generally called "HRT." Estrogen is a female hormone that brings about changes in other organs in the body. Progesterone is a female hormone that prepares the uterus for a pregnancy each month. During the transition to menopause ("perimenopause") these hormone levels start to fluctuate, causing some uncomfortable symptoms. When the ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone, menstrual periods cease and the woman has experienced menopause.

Where do these hormones come from?
Natural hormones are obtained from sterol analogues found in many varieties of plants, primarily soybean and wild yam. These estrogen and progesterone like compounds are then transformed in the laboratory to the human bio-identical natural hormones.

What about taking a hormone replacement pill that contains only estrogen?

Estrogen taken without progestin can cause uterine cancer. Therefore, for some years doctors have recommended that the only women who should take estrogen without progestin on a continuous basis are women who have had a hysterectomy. For women without a hysterectomy, the only recommended hormone replacement therapy is the combination of estrogen and progestin, which does not cause an increased risk of uterine cancer.

If I am on HRT therapy now, what should I do?

Since the women in the WHI clinical trial taking a combined estrogen-progestin pill have been asked to stop taking it, it's important to discuss this with your physician. If you are taking the combined hormone pill for the long-term treatment of chronic disease such as osteoporosis, federal researchers have urged that you and your doctor discuss the possibility of stopping the therapy or tapering it off. For postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, for example, there are a number of treatments that have been shown to be more effective than hormone replacement therapy. Ask your doctor about taking these medicines instead of hormone replacement pills.

What are my alternatives to HRT?

Many bothersome symptoms associated with menopause, including hot flashes and mood disturbances, frequently get better on their own. One of the best things women can do, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), is to adopt a healthy lifestyle -- including not smoking, getting regular exercise, and having a good, nutritious diet. This will help lower your risk of bone loss, which increases as you age. You may also want to take calcium and vitamin D supplements.

To see if you have HRT related case, click here