Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) involves taking supplements to replace the female hormone oestrogen which falls during the menopause.  The menopause is the time in a woman's life when her ovaries, which normally produce oestrogen, stop working. Menopause usually happens around the age of 50 years.

During menopause most women get symptoms, which are caused by the fall in the levels of oestrogen and can include hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes and loss of concentration.  These vary from being mild to troublesome.

Also the hormone changes, which take place during menopause, mean that in the long-term women are at greater risk of bone thinning (osteoporosis) and heart disease than previously.

When it was first introduced it was hoped that HRT would ease menopausal symptoms and also reduce the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease in later life. However, recent evidence has shown that although there may be some benefits there are also risks associated with HRT. The other questions and answers in this section explore these risks and benefits in more detail.