What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medical treatment in which hormones are replaced in the body to alleviate symptoms caused by a deficiency or imbalance of certain hormones. HRT is most commonly used to alleviate symptoms of menopause in women, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness, but it can also be used to treat other conditions such as hypogonadism (a deficiency of testosterone in men) and osteoporosis. HRT can be administered in several forms, such as pills, gels, creams, and patches, and can contain one or more hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.