Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Common side effects of hormone replacement therapy
Like any medication, the hormones used in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can sometimes have side effects.
Any side effects usually improve over time, so it's a good idea to persevere with treatment for at least three months if possible.
Speak to your GP ifyou experience severe side effects or they continue for longer than three months.
This page covers:
Side effects of oestrogen
The main side effectsassociated withtaking oestrogen include:
- bloating
- breast tenderness or swelling
- swelling in other parts of the body
- nausea
- leg cramps
- Headaches
- indigestion
- vaginal bleeding
These side effects will often pass in a few weeks, but the following measures may help relieve some of them in the meantime:
- taking your oestrogen dose with food may help to reduce nausea and indigestion
- eating a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet may reduce breast tenderness
- regular exercise and stretching may help reduce leg cramps
If side effects persist, your GP may recommend switching to a different way of takingoestrogen (for example, changing from a tablet to a patch), changing the specific medication you're taking, or lowering your dose.
Side effects of progestogen
The main side effectsassociated withtakingprogestogen include:
- breast tenderness
- swelling
- headaches or migraines
- mood swings
- depression
- acne
- tummy (abdominal) pain
- back pain
- vaginal bleeding
As with side effects of oestrogen, these will usually pass in a few weeks,
Ifthey persist, your GP may recommend switching to a different way of takingprogestogen, changing the specific medication you're taking, or lowering your dose.
Weight gain and HRT
Many women believe that taking HRT will make them put on weight, but there's no evidence to support this claim.
You may gain some weight during the menopause , but this often happens regardless of whether you take HRT.
Exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet should helpyou to lose any unwanted weight .
More serious risks
HRT has also been associated with some more serious risks, such as an increased risk of blood clots and certain types of cancer .
Read about the risks of HRT for more information.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 1 Aug 2016
Introduction
Find out what hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is, why it's used, the different types available, and what the main risks and side effects are.
How does hormone replacement therapy work
Find out about the different hormones used in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the different ways HRT can be taken.
Common side effects of hormone replacement therapy
Find out about the main side effects of HRT and what can be done to alleviate them.
Disadvantages of HRT
When deciding whether to have hormone replacement therapy (HRT), it is important to understand the risks and put them into perspective.
What is the best alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Find out about the alternatives ways you can relieve your menopausal symptoms if you can't take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or don't want to.
Patient story: "The night sweats really got me."
Barbara Hunt, a retired civil servant from Canterbury in Kent, has had a rollercoaster ride with the menopause and HRT.
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