What are the benefits of HRT?

HRT's main benefit is highly effective relief of menopause symptoms — hot flushes, night sweats, sleep problems, mood changes, and vaginal dryness — plus protection for your bones.

For most women with troublesome symptoms, HRT (replacing the oestrogen, and progesterone if you have a womb, that your body has lost) is the most effective treatment available. Beyond symptom relief, it reduces the risk of osteoporosis and fractures by protecting bone density, and local vaginal oestrogen is very effective for dryness and urinary symptoms. Started around the time of menopause (generally under 60 or within 10 years of your last period), HRT is, on balance, a reasonable and often beneficial choice for many women — modern guidance is far more positive than the fear-driven era that followed older studies.

Like any treatment, HRT has risks and isn't right for everyone, which is why it's an individual decision made with your doctor.

What to do: if menopause symptoms are affecting your quality of life, or you're concerned about bone health, it's worth a proper conversation with your GP about whether HRT suits you — weighing your symptoms, age, health history, and preferences. The type, dose, and delivery (patch, gel, tablet) can all be tailored. See our question on HRT side effects for the other side of the picture.