How do I decide if HRT is right for me?

Bottom lineDecide if HRT is right for you with a clinician by weighing your symptom severity (hot flashes, night sweats, sleep, mood, vaginal dryness) against your personal and family medical history, your age and time since menopause, and the type and route of HRT, which all affect its benefits and risks; for many with bothersome symptoms the benefits outweigh the risks, it can be adjusted over time, and non-hormonal alternatives exist.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) replaces the estrogen (and usually progestogen) your body makes less of around menopause. Whether it's right for you is a personal decision to make with a clinician, weighing your symptoms, health, and preferences.

Reasons people consider HRT

• Troublesome symptoms - hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, mood changes, and vaginal dryness
• HRT is the most effective treatment for many menopause symptoms
• It can also help protect bone health

What to weigh up

• Your symptom severity and how much they affect your life
• Your personal and family medical history (for example clots, certain cancers, or cardiovascular risk)
• The type, dose, and route of HRT (tablets, patches, gels, and local vaginal options), which affect the balance of benefits and risks
• Your age and time since menopause, which influence the risk-benefit picture

How to have the conversation

1. Track your symptoms and how they affect you
2. List your medical history and any concerns
3. Discuss benefits and risks with a clinician, who can tailor the type and dose
4. Review regularly - HRT isn't all-or-nothing and can be adjusted

The bottom line

For many people with bothersome symptoms, the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks - but it's individual. A clinician helps you decide and can offer non-hormonal alternatives too.

See what is HRT for background.

Femora helps you track symptoms so you can have an informed conversation about HRT with your clinician.