Treatment Options for Menopausal Symptoms

Menopausal hormone therapy, which was previously called hormone replacement therapy,uses estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen alone is prescribed if a woman has had her uterus surgically removed. MHT appears to effectively reduce hot flashes, sleep disturbances and irritability, eases vaginal dryness and discomfort, and slows bone loss. MHT may increase the risk for blood clots, heart attack, stroke, and breast cancer and gallbladder disease. Hormone therapy is available in oral form or topical form such as patches, creams and vaginal preparations.