Lack of oestrogen can produce symptoms such as irregular periods, night sweats, hot flushes and mood swings. The vaginal area may also become very dry. For most women the symptoms of menopause are mild, but for some they can be quite severe. HRT contains oestrogen and progestogen to replace the lost hormones and thereby minimise symptoms associated with lack of oestrogen. Different brands of HRT have different combinations of these two hormones.
Progestogen is added when a woman has an intact uterus.
A woman who has had a hysterectomy, ie her uterus has been removed, will be given oestrogen only. HRT is available as tablets that are taken orally, patches applied to the skin, vaginal medicines and as skin implants that are inserted under the skin. This will usually depend on a woman's symptoms and medical history. Apart from helping with menopausal symptoms there is evidence that HRT has two other major benefits. Before menopause, women have a much lower incidence of heart disease than men, but in women over 50 years this advantage is rapidly lost.