Hormone therapy (HT) is a general term for the use of man-made (synthetic) estrogen, with or without progestin, to treat symptoms caused by the changing hormone levels that occur before and after menopause. Hormone therapy carries some health risks, and its use should be discussed carefully with a health professional.

Hormone therapy includes:

• Birth control pills containing estrogen and progestin. These can be used before menopause to treat perimenopausal symptoms and prevent pregnancy.
• Estrogen and progestin, which are the form of hormone therapy (HT) most frequently used for treating menopausal symptoms in people who have a uterus. The dose of estrogen and progestin is less than in a birth control pill.
• Estrogen therapy (ET), which refers to the use of estrogen without progestin. Most people who use ET have had their uterus removed (hysterectomy).