The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
HRT FOR MENOPAUSE
A medical treatment used to restore female hormone levels to their normal amounts to reduce the symptoms of menopause
What is hormone replacement therapy?
HRT is a treatment used to relieve the symptoms of the menopause. It replaces hormones that are at a lower level as you approach the menopause.
Most menopausal symptoms pass on their own after a few years, but can be very uncomfortable during this time.
Need to know
Your consultant will administer the most appropriate type of hormone replacement therapy for you. Most women take a combination of oestrogen and progestogen. Women who don't have a womb can take oestrogen on its own.
Depending on what your doctor deems the most suitable method for you, you may be given tablets, skin patches, gel, vaginal cream or pessaries (a prosthetic device). This medication can be taken continuously without a break, or in cycles where you take oestrogen continuously and only take progestogen every few weeks.
Your doctor will let you know how best to prepare for your treatment.
You may experience some side effects after you first start treatment. This may include:
- breast tenderness
- teaches
- nausea
- indigestion
- abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding.
This should pass, but it may take several weeks for the effects of the treatment to become apparent. You will need to have a follow-up appointment with your doctor to discuss whether the therapy is helping you sufficiently. If not, your medication may be adjusted.
Our doctors specialising in HRT
We're proud to work with leading doctors, including gynaecologists and GPs, who are experienced in managing symptoms of the menopause, and whose skills are matched by their integrity and compassion
Our Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) locations
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
The Prostate Centre
18 Devonshire Street W1G 7AQ London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.