Hormone therapy helps restore your body’s natural balance of female hormones, mainly estrogen and progesteron,e when your levels drop, often during menopause or early menopause. This treatment can help relieve symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and sleep disturbances that happen when estrogen levels fall.

There are different types of hormone therapy, including bioidentical hormones, systemic hormone therapy, local estrogen therapy, and combined hormone therapy. Each is designed to help your body feel more balanced and comfortable again.

Most women start hormone replacement therapy to treat menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, and painful intercourse. It can also improve mood swings, sleep issues, and low energy caused by estrogen deficiency.

Some women also find that hormone therapy helps reduce bone loss and supports a better quality of life overall. By restoring your hormone levels, these treatments can help you feel more like yourself again.

When guided by healthcare professionals, hormone therapy is generally safe for most women. However, like any treatment, it comes with benefits and risks. Possible risks may include a slightly higher chance of blood clots, breast tenderness, vaginal bleeding, or skin irritation, especially with certain forms of systemic therapy.

Your provider will consider your medical history, family medical history, and personal risk factors (like heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, or diabetes risk) to find the safest and most effective plan for you.

The benefits and risks depend on your unique health situation.

Benefits include fewer menopausal symptoms, improved sleep, better mood, and protection against bone loss. Risks can include a small increase in breast cancer risk, blood clotting, deep vein thrombosis, and cardiovascular disease, especially with systemic estrogen or combined therapy.

The key is finding the right balance. For many women, the benefits of relieving vasomotor symptoms and improving daily life outweigh the risks. A professional who follows the North American Menopause Society or Menopause Society guidelines can help you make an informed choice.

There are several treatment options for menopausal hormone therapy, depending on your needs and comfort level.

Systemic hormone therapy (like transdermal estrogen, pills, or patches) works throughout the body to help with hot flashes and night sweats.

Local estrogen therapy (such as vaginal cream or tablets) helps with vaginal symptoms like dryness and painful intercourse.

Combined hormone therapy uses both estrogen and progesterone to protect women who still have a uterus from endometrial cancer.

Estrogen-only therapy is used for women who’ve had a hysterectomy.

Your provider may also discuss micronized progesterone, cyclic therapy, or continuous combined therapy options depending on your hormone levels and goals.

Hormone therapy isn’t right for everyone. Women with a history of breast cancer, uterine cancer, endometrial cancer, blood clots, pulmonary embolism, or liver disease may need other treatment options.

Those with a high risk of heart disease, deep vein thrombosis, or stroke should also discuss all possible health risks and alternative therapies with their provider.

Your doctor will help you find what’s safest for your personal medical history and may suggest other hormonal therapy or non-hormonal options if needed.

Bioidentical hormones are made to closely match the natural hormones your body produces. Some women prefer them because they’re often seen as a more “natural” option.

However, it’s important to note that compounded hormones (custom-mixed bioidentical hormones) aren’t always regulated the same way as FDA-approved hormone therapies. Always talk to your healthcare provider about the scientific evidence, risks and benefits, and what’s safest for your body before choosing between bioidentical and standard hormone therapy.

Before starting estrogen therapy or any menopausal hormone therapy, tell your provider about your medical history, family medical history, and any current medications. Be open about menopause symptoms, such as vaginal dryness, night sweats, weight gain, or hot flashes, so they can create a personalized plan.

Your provider may recommend lab tests to check your hormone levels and help you choose between estrogen replacement therapy, combined therapy, or local estrogen therapy. The goal is always to relieve symptoms, protect your long-term health, and make sure the effects of hormone therapy improve your daily life safely.