The Truth About HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy)

Let’s be honest, the minute you even think about HRT, you’re hit with every opinion under the sun. Your friend swears by it, your sister’s terrified of it, Donna from the pub said it has given her a bush and your GP might look at you like you’ve just asked to borrow their car. It’s confusing, emotional, and full of half-truths. So, let’s break it down, no jargon, no scare tactics and definitely no guilt

What HRT Actually Is

HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) is exactly what it sounds like: replacing the hormones your body stops making as you move through menopause. The hormones mainly affected are estrogen, progesterone, and sometimes testosterone. When estrogen levels drop, all sorts of fun things can happen. Hot flushes, mood swings, night sweats, dryness, joint aches, the whole party. HRT helps top those levels back up so your body can chill out again. It doesn’t “trick” your body, more so just gives it the hormones it’s missing, in safe, controlled and steady doses.

So, What's with All the Confusion?

Blame the headlines from 20 years ago. Back in the early 2000s, one big study scared everyone off HRT by suggesting it caused breast cancer and heart problems. What we now know is that particular study was of poor research quality and often findings were misinterpreted. Newer, more accurate research shows that for most healthy women under 60 or within 10 years of their last period, HRT is safe and can have huge benefits for symptoms and long-term health. Like everything, not one-size-fits-all. It’s about balance, timing, and what’s right for you.

The Good Stuff

Here’s what HRT can actually help with (and pretty quickly, for many women):

• Hot flushes and night sweats

• Mood swings, anxiety, and sleep

• Vaginal dryness and pain during sex

• Brain fog and low energy

• Bone strength and heart health long-term

Basically, it helps you feel like yourself again which is kind of the point

The “But…” Section

There are some situations where HRT might not be suitable — for example, if you have or at risk of certain types of cancers, liver disease or blood clots. That’s why it’s so important to chat with a specialist doctor who actually knows and understand menopause. (If your GP waves it off or tells you to “just deal with it” find a new one. Seriously.)

HRT Comes in More Favours Than Ice Cream

Gone are the days of one pill fits all. These days you can choose what suits your life best:

• Patches: Stick on your skin and release estrogen slowly (low effort, low drama)

• Gels or sprays: Rub on your arm or leg, super popular and easy to adjust.

• Tablets: Simple but may not be the best for everyone

• Coil (IUD): Delivers progesterone locally, often used with estrogen gel or patch.

• Testosterone: Sometimes added for low libido or energy (yes, women have it too!)

You and your doctor can work together and figure out what is best for you. Expect a little trial and error during this process.

The Truth You Actually Need to Hear

HRT isn’t vanity. It’s not weakness. And it’s definitely not “cheating”. You don’t win a medal for suffering through menopause Olympics. You deserve to feel well, sleep well, think clearly, and enjoy life not just out up with symptoms that can be completely debilitating. If that means HRT, great. If you prefer natural options, great. If you opt against nothing, great. If you raw dog menopause (as they say) - what matters is choice and having all the information to make the right one for you

A Little Reminder

Every woman’s menopause story is different. What worked for your best friend might not be your perfect fit and that’s okay. Be curious, ask questions, and don’t let fear or old myths decide for you. Menopause is tough enough, you don’t need misinformation on top of it.