We have more options today than ever before for managing the changes that occur at midlife and for reducing the long-term health conditions. Any treatment decision must be made in conjunction with a physician and in the context of our total personal health and risk factors for certain diseases and conditions.
Natural progesterone is also available.
HRT is available by prescription only, in varying dosages and schedules. It is most commonly prescribed as a pill or skin patch. While HRT has many advantages, the use of hormones is still relatively new. Although early studies are quite promising, it will take years before experts know the long-term effects of hormone use. In the meantime, many patients and health care professionals feel strongly about HRT's benefits and have had significant success with it.