Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or hormone therapy (HT) is the giving of the female hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, and sometimes testosterone. 

Oestrogen (also known as estrogen) and progesterone are produced in the ovaries during a woman's reproductive life. At menopause, levels of these hormones fall dramatically until, in post-menopausal years, small amounts of each are produced by the adrenal glands instead of the ovaries. 

Testosterone is produced by the adrenal glands and the ovaries. Levels decline gradually over a woman's life, but are significantly reduced in women who have had both ovaries removed. 

For more information see:

Hormones

A woman produces many different natural female hormones including... Read more...

Hormone therapy

What is hormone therapy? And how is HRT prescribed? What are the possible side effects? More...

Benefits and risks of hormone therapy

Any decision about HT is an individual one and should be made after each woman is informed about her individual risks, benefits , needs and concerns in consultation with her prescribing practitioner. More...

Side effects of hormone therapy

Some women may experience nausea, fluid retention, breast enlargement and discomfort, particularly during the first few months of taking hormone therapy. More...

Testosterone

Testosterone and other related hormones in the body (also known as androgens) play important roles in women’s health and wellbeing. More...

FAQs about HRT

Find here your answers to frequently asked questions about menopause and HRT. More...

The Million Women Study - UK

The Million Women Study (MWS) is a UK national observational study of women's health, involving around one million women aged 50 and over, presenting for breast screening. More...

Women's Health Initiative (WHI) - USA

The USA National Institutes of Health established the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) to address the most common causes of death, disability and impaired quality of life in postmenopausal women. More...

WISDOM: HRT beyond menopause

Comment from Professor Helena Teede. More...

Heart disease and HRT

Does hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have effects on cardiovascular disease? More...

Lung cancer and HRT (IMS reply)

The Lancet has issued a press release on HRT use and lung cancer (Oestrogen plus progestin and lung cancer in postmenopausal women (Women's Health Initiative trial): a post-hoc analysis of a randomised controlled trial, by Chlebowski RT, et al.). The International Menopause Society has issued a statement, which was written by Professor Amos Pines on behalf of the  IMS (reproduced with permission). More...

Content updated December 14, 2010