Facilitation of safe and effective use of hormone replacement therapy

Hormones (estrogen, progesterone, or both) given to women after menopause to replace the hormones no longer produced by the ovaries.

Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her period stops. It is a normal part of aging. In the years before and during menopause, the levels of female hormones can go up and down. This can cause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, pain during sex, and vaginal dryness. For some women, the symptoms are mild, and they go away on their own. Other women take hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also called menopausal hormone therapy, to relieve these symptoms. HRT may also protect against osteoporosis. HRT is not for everyone. You should not use HRT if you Think that you are pregnant; Have problems with vaginal bleeding; Have had certain kinds of cancers; Have had a stroke or heart attack; Have had blood clots; Have liver disease. There are different types of HRT. Some have only one hormone, while others have two. Most are pills that you take every day, but there are also skin patches, vaginal creams, gels, and rings. Taking HRT has some risks. For some women, hormone therapy may increase their chances of getting blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and gallbladder disease. Certain types of HRT have a higher risk, and each woman's own risks can vary, depending upon her medical history and lifestyle. You and your health care provider need to discuss the risks and benefits for you.

Therapeutic use of hormones to alleviate the effects of hormone deficiency.

Treatment with estrogens or estrogen/progesterone after menopause or ovariectomy to prevent pathological effects of decreased estrogen production.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progesterone given to restore concentrations of these hormones to physiologically active levels in menopausal or postmenopausal women. HRT is most often used to control menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and to...