Hormone therapy (HT) uses one or more hormones to treat menopausal symptoms. Hormone therapy uses estrogen, progestin (a type of progesterone), or both. HRT involves taking estrogen and progestogen (combined HRT) or simply taking estrogen (estrogen-only HRT). Estrogen is the main hormone which is used in hormone therapy.
It is sometimes simply called “estrogen therapy”. Even after you've decided to undergo estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), decision-making isn't over. There are many types of estrogen therapy in many different forms: pills, patches, suppositories, and more. The best type of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) depends on your health condition, your symptoms, your personal preferences, and what you need to finish the treatment.
For example, if you still have a uterus, estrogen will be given in combination with the hormone progestin. Hormones can stimulate the growth of some breast cancer cells. Hormone therapy works by reducing the amount of hormones in the body or by stopping them from reaching breast cancer cells. Hormone therapy is also known as endocrine therapy. There are several different types of hormone therapy.
The type you need depends on several factors. One of the most common types of hormone therapy used for breast cancer is tamoxifen. Your doctor will analyze your general health and the possible side effects of medications when deciding which hormone treatment is best for you. As researchers learn more about menopausal hormone therapy and other menopausal treatments, recommendations may change.
While oral estrogen has been around for a long time and is well studied, some ways of taking hormone therapy aren't. Hormone therapy is a medical treatment that can help alleviate the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. While there are newer ways to receive estrogen therapy, oral estrogens are the best-studied type of estrogen therapy. There is no scientific evidence that compound hormones are safer or more effective than standard hormone therapy.
The type of hormone therapy that's right for you depends on a number of factors, such as whether you've had a hysterectomy, your stage of menopause, and your personal preferences. Oral estrogen hormone therapy is cheap and effective, but it's not suitable for everyone, depending on age and health history. If you're considering hormone therapy, it's important to learn everything you can from your healthcare provider. During neoadjuvant hormone therapy, you should check with your doctor to see if the cancer is shrinking. Talk to your healthcare professional about these risks when deciding if menopausal hormone therapy might be an option for you.
When combined with the hormone progestin, they can also increase the risks of breast cancer and heart attack. Estrogen hormone therapy may be right for you if you're having trouble with menopausal side effects, such as hot flashes or vaginal dryness, or if you're looking for gender-affirming care to adjust your body's hormone levels. This risk may be related to age, existing medical conditions, and the time a woman begins receiving hormone therapy. Your healthcare professional can help you choose the best way to take these hormones depending on what works for you and has the least side effects.
