Can menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) help treat my symptoms?
If used properly, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) (once called hormone replacement therapy or HRT) can be very good at relieving moderate to severe menopausal symptoms and prevents bone loss. But MHT also has some risks, especially if used for a long time. MHT can help with menopause by: • Reducing hot flashes and night sweats, and related problems such as poor sleep and irritability • Treating vaginal symptoms, such as dryness and discomfort, and related effects, such as pain during sex • Slowing bone loss • Possibly easing mood swings and mild depressive symptoms (MHT is not an antidepressant and is not effective in treating depression.) For some women, MHT may increase their chance of: • Blood clots • Heart attack • Stroke • Breast cancer • Gall bladder disease When deciding whether or not to use MHT, you and your doctor need to talk about the potential benefits and risks. Also ask about other treatment options. For example, lower dose estrogen products (vaginal creams, rings, and
