Complete Guide to HRT for Menopause: Your Questions Answered
Once you've reached menopause—defined as 12 months without a period—hormone replacement therapy (HRT) remains the most effective treatment for managing symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood changes. But with various delivery methods, dosing options, and safety considerations to understand, starting HRT can feel overwhelming.
This expert Q&A guide provides clear, science-backed answers to help you make informed decisions about menopause hormone therapy. From understanding the difference between estrogen-only and combined HRT to learning how to apply estradiol patches correctly, we cover the practical details that matter most when beginning treatment.
Whether you're exploring HRT for the first time, switching from perimenopause treatment, or adjusting your current regimen, you'll find detailed answers organized into easy-to-navigate categories. Learn about estradiol patch dosing, progesterone requirements, testosterone options, safety considerations, and how to monitor your treatment for the best results.
Just starting to learn about HRT?
Read our HRT 101 Complete Guide first. Still in perimenopause? Check out our HRT for Perimenopause Q&A. For non-HRT menopause topics, browse our General Menopause Q&A.
The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every woman’s experience with perimenopause and menopause is unique. If you have concerns or symptoms affecting your health, please consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance and care. MenoHello does not endorse any specific treatments or products mentioned here.
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Menopause in the News
Stay Informed on the Latest Menopause Research, Therapies, and Women’s Health Developments
Nalvee HRT Launch: New Menopause Treatment Option Returns to UK After 17 Years
Gedeon Richter has launched Nalvee, a dydrogesterone-only HRT option, in the UK after a 17-year absence. The treatment offers women a new progestogen choice with predictable bleeding patterns and strong endometrial protection for menopause symptom management.
Elinzanetant (Lynkuet): New 52-Week Trial Shows Stronger Evidence — What’s Still Unknown
A year-long study of Elinzanetant (Lynkuet) reveals lasting relief from hot flashes and improved sleep without hormones. Here’s what you need to know about this breakthrough non-hormonal option.
UK Approves First Testosterone Cream for Women, Marking a Historic Shift in Menopause Care
In the UK, a testosterone cream formulated specifically for women was approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in August 2025. Before this, testosterone was not licensed for women, and male-strength gels were prescribed "off-label" in lower doses, as is currently the case in the US and elsewhere.
FDA Panel Reconsiders Black Box Warning on Low-Dose Vaginal Estrogen
An FDA-convened panel of medical experts heard testimony in July 2025 supporting the removal of the black box warning from low-dose vaginal estrogen therapies. Experts argued that the warning, which dates to 2003, is inaccurate and scares women away from a safe and effective treatment for menopausal symptoms.
New Research Finds Early Menopause Hormone Therapy May Offer Big Benefits with Lower Risks
This new perspective contrasts with the widespread alarm caused by the initial 2002 Women's Health Initiative (WHI) trial findings, which suggested serious risks and led many women and doctors to avoid hormone therapy (HT). Current research clarifies that those risks were primarily associated with older participants who began therapy many years after menopause using older, higher-dose formulations.
New Non-Hormonal Treatment Offers Relief from Menopausal Hot Flashes — With Safety Caveats
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Veozah (fezolinetant), an oral medication for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms, or hot flashes, caused by menopause. Veozah is the first neurokinin 3 (NK3) receptor antagonist approved by the FDA to treat moderate to severe hot flashes from menopause. It works by binding to and blocking the activities of the NK3 receptor, which plays a role in the brain’s regulation of body temperature.
The End of Menopause? Scientists Explore Radical New Possibilities
Could menopause one day be optional? Scientists are exploring radical new ways to delay or even prevent it, from ovarian tissue freezing to groundbreaking hormonal research.
Could a Weekly Pill Delay Menopause? Rapamycin Research Shows Promise
Early clinical research indicates that a weekly rapamycin pill could delay menopause by slowing the aging of the ovaries. A pilot study conducted at Columbia University showed promising results, and a larger trial is now underway. While the findings are encouraging, this treatment is still experimental, and its long-term safety and efficacy need further confirmation.
New Study Highlights Rising Cardiovascular Risk for Postmenopausal Women
A major study reveals women’s heart health declines rapidly after menopause, making this a crucial time for screening, prevention, and awareness.
Elinzanetant Under FDA Review: A Potential New Non-Hormonal Option for Menopausal Symptoms
Elinzanetant (Lynkuet) is a new non-hormonal therapy under FDA review that could finally provide relief from hot flashes for women who can’t or prefer not to take hormone therapy. Promising trial results offer hope for midlife symptom relief.
Menopause Symptom Insights
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