Menopause is a normal change in a woman's life when her period stops. That's why some people call menopause "the change of life" or "the change." During menopause a woman's body slowly produces less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This often happens between the ages of 45 and 55 years old. A woman has reached menopause when she has not had a period for 12 months in a row.

How do hormones help with menopause? Reduce hot flashes Treat vaginal dryness Slow bone loss Who should not take hormone therapy for menopause? Women who... Think they are pregnant Have problems with vaginal bleeding Have had certain kinds of cancers Have had a stroke or heart attack in the past year Have had blood clots Have liver disease

What Is Hormone Therapy for Menopause?

Hormone therapy for menopause also has been called hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Lower hormone levels in menopause may lead to hot flashes, vaginal dryness and thin bones. To help with these problems, women are often given estrogen or estrogen with progestin (another hormone). Like all medicines, hormone therapy has risks and benefits. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about hormones. If you decide to use hormones, use them at the lowest dose that helps. Also use them for the shortest time that you need them.

What Are the Symptoms of Menopause?

Every woman's period will stop at menopause. Some women may not have any other symptoms at all. As you near menopause, you may have:

• Changes in your period — time between periods or flow may be different
• Hot flashes ("hot flushes") — getting warm in the face, neck and chest
• Night sweats and sleeping problems that lead to feeling tired, stressed or tense
• Vaginal changes — the vagina may become dry and thin, and sex may be painful
• Thinning of your bones, which may lead to loss of height and bone breaks (osteoporosis)

For some women, many of these changes will go away over time without treatment.

Some women will choose treatment for their symptoms and to prevent bone loss. If you choose treatment, estrogen alone or estrogen with progestin (for a woman who still has her uterus or womb) can be used.

What Are the Benefits From Using Hormones for Menopause?

Hormone therapy is the most effective FDA-approved medicine for relief of hot flashes, night sweats or vaginal dryness.

Hormones may reduce your chances of getting thin, weak bones (osteoporosis) that break easily.

What Are the Risks of Using Hormones?

For some women, hormone therapy may increase their chances of getting blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer and gall bladder disease. For a woman with a uterus, estrogen increases her chance of getting endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterine lining). Adding progestin lowers this risk.

Should I Use Estrogen Just to Prevent Thin Bones?

You can, but there also are other medicines and things you can do to help your bones.

Should I Use Hormone Therapy to Protect the Heart or Prevent Strokes?

No, do not use hormone therapy to prevent heart attacks or strokes.

Should I Use Hormone Therapy to Prevent Memory Loss or Alzheimer's Disease?

No, do not use hormone therapy to prevent memory loss or Alzheimer's disease.

Do Hormones Protect Against Aging and Wrinkles or Increase My Sex Drive?

Studies have not shown that hormone therapy prevents aging and wrinkles or increases sex drive.

How Long Should I Use Hormones for Menopause?

You should talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Again, hormones should be used at the lowest dose that helps and for the shortest time. (For example, check if you still need them every three to six months.)

Does It Make a Difference What Form of Hormones I Use for Menopause?

The risks and benefits may be the same for all hormone products for menopause, such as pills, patches, vaginal creams, gels and rings.

Are Herbs and Other "Natural" Products Useful in Treating Symptoms of Menopause?

At this time, we do not know if herbs or other "natural" products are helpful or safe. Studies are being done to learn about the benefits and risks.

What Can I Do to Improve My Health Whether I Am Using Hormones or Not? Be active and get more exercise Don't smoke Eat right and control your weight Talk with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist and have regular check ups Discuss bone health; ask if you should take calcium and vitamin D Have your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar checked Have a breast exam and a breast X-ray (mammogram)

Additional Resources

Federal Citizen Information Center
US General Services Administration
1-888-878-3256
Internet: www.pueblo.gsa.gov

Food and Drug Administration
US Department of Health and Human Services
Internet: www.fda.gov/womens
Internet: www.fda.gov/cder

National Women's Health Information Center
US Department of Health and Human Services
Internet: www.4woman.gov

National Institutes of Health
US Department of Health and Human Services
Internet: www.nih.gov/PHTindex.htm

Agency for Healthcare Research Quality
US Department of Health and Human Services
Internet: www.ahrq.gov/ppip/healthywom.htm

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Updated: July 2005

Related Articles

• The Menopause Years
• Menopause: Managing Your Body's Changes
• Medem Learning Center: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)