Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

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WHAT IS HRT?

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Hormone replacement therapy are medications used to replace female hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) that are depleted in the body and areno longer produced by the body during menopause. [2; 3]
HRT should generally be started two to three years of menopause. HRT can be in the form of cream or gels, vaginal rings, tablets and skin patches. [1]

INDICATIONS FOR HRT [1]

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  • Treatment of menopause symptoms.
  • To prevent osteoporosis in older women (>55 years) and bone loss in women with premature menopause (<40 years).
  • Symptoms which indicate urogenital atrophy.

CONTRAINDICATIONS [1]

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  • History of thromboembolism.
  • Thrombophilia.
  • History of chronic heart disease or stroke.
  • Current or history of breast, endometrial or other oestrogen dependent cancers.
  • Liver disease.
  • Undiagnosed persistent urinary tract bleeding.
  • Hypertension that is untreated.
  • Porphyria.
  • Severe migraines.

 

COMPLICATIONS [3]

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  • Heart disease.
  • Stroke.
  • Blood clots.
  • Breast cancer.

SIDE EFFECTS OF HRT [3]

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  • Breast tenderness.
  • Breakthrough bleeding.
  • Bloating.
  • Nausea.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES WHEN ON HRT [2]

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  • Sensation of smoking.
  • Healthy lifestyle which should include eating a balanced diet, eating healthy, managing stress and any other chronic conditions you may have such as
    cholesterol.
  • Limit the alcohol that you consume.
  • Wearing loose clothing.

1. Johannesburg Hospitals, University of the Witwatersrand, Department of Gynaecology. 2017.
Wits Gynaecology. South Africa: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
2. Brazier, Y. [Internet]. What you need to know about HRT. United Kingdom: Healthline Media; [updated 2017 May 25; cited 2019 Aug 14]. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/181726.php.
3. Mayo Clinic Staff [Internet]. Hormone therapy: Is it right for you?. America: Mayo Clinic; [updated 2018 May 24; cited 2019 Aug 14]. Available from:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/menopause/in-depth/hormonetherapy/art-20046372.

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