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Hormone therapy for menopause

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In most women, menopause symptoms like hot flashes aren't severe enough to need treatment. Short-term hormone therapy can provide relief in women with severe symptoms. Because of the associated risks, long-term therapy is no longer recommended.

During the years leading up to menopause (perimenopause), women’s bodies make less female sex . They can then no longer become pregnant when they reach menopause. These natural changes are sometimes associated with symptoms like hot flashes (also called hot flushes), sleep problems and mood swings. The symptoms can vary in severity and usually go away on their own after a while.

A number of different treatment options are available for women who are experiencing typical menopause symptoms. But most of them haven't been proven effective. One of the better studied types of treatment is hormone therapy using a combination of estrogen and progestin (synthetic progesterone), or estrogen alone. This is currently the most effective treatment for hot flashes and sweats.

Like with any medication, though: If are effective, they will also have side effects and risks. These will depend on things like the type of hormone therapy and how long it's used for. Short-term treatment is usually enough.

Do hormones need to be replaced?

Which hormones are used in hormone therapy?

What products are available and how are they used?

How effective is short-term hormone therapy?

What are the short-term side effects of hormone therapy?

What risks are associated with long-term hormone therapy?

What are the advantages of long-term hormone therapy?

What can you do if the symptoms are severe?

What happens when you stop taking hormones?

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Updated on January 12, 2023

Next planned update: 2026

Publisher:

Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG, Germany)

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