Is menopausal hormone therapy the next step for you?
Menopause is having a cultural moment. After years of being a taboo subject, discussions around this natural life stage are becoming more open. From the workplace to the media, stories about menopause are finally being told—but not without their complexities. While raising awareness about menopause is a welcome change, some of the narratives focus heavily on its challenges, painting it as a health crisis that can be “solved” solely through hormone therapy.
Enter MHT, or Menopausal Hormone Therapy. This is not just a rebranding of the familiar Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT); it represents a shift in how the medical community approaches menopause and its management.
But why the switch from “HRT” to “MHT,” and what does it mean for you? Let’s find out.
What is MHT?
Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) is a type of hormone treatment designed to manage symptoms directly related to menopause. It includes medications that contain estrogen, progesterone, and sometimes testosterone. These hormones are delivered in controlled doses to alleviate symptoms like hot flashes, sleeplessness, and vaginal dryness.
Unlike HRT, the name “MHT” emphasizes that it’s not about fully “replacing” hormones to mimic premenopausal levels. Instead, MHT is focused on symptom relief and supporting women through their menopausal transition.
Key Benefits of MHT
- Symptom Relief: It effectively eases menopause-related issues like hot flashes, night sweats, and joint pain.
- Improved Quality of Life: It may improve sleep, skin health, and mood disruptions caused by menopause.
- Added Health Benefits: MHT has been shown to reduce the risks of osteoporosis, heart disease, and even some cancers (e.g., colon cancer) in certain women.
Why the New Name?
The shift from “HRT” to “MHT” isn’t just a semantic one. It reflects advancements in scientific understanding and a growing recognition of how nuanced menopause is.
- Focus on Symptom Management
The term “HRT” (Hormone Replacement Therapy) suggests an attempt to restore hormones to premenopausal levels, which isn’t often necessary or even beneficial for menopausal women.
Instead, MHT communicates the real goal: to relieve symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood swings—not to reverse the natural aging process.
- More Accurate Terminology
The word “replacement” in HRT often gave the impression that such therapies were attempting to “fix” menopause, as though it were a defect. This misinterpretation contributed to fear and stigma around menopause.
The term “MHT” helps normalize menopause as part of healthy aging, as Dr. Martha Hickey of the University of Melbourne puts it. “The misconception of menopause as always being a medical issue…should be challenged. Many women live rewarding lives during and after menopause, contributing to work, family life, and the wider society.”
- Advances in Understanding
Research over the decades has shifted the goals of hormone therapy. While HRT was more generalized in its approach, MHT takes into account individuals’ unique symptoms, health risks, and life stages. The personalized nature of MHT reflects this progress, ensuring women get tailored solutions for their needs.
Menopause and the Bigger Picture
The terminology change also aligns with a broader shift in how menopause is viewed. Menopause is not an illness; it’s a normal stage of life that comes with its share of challenges, as well as opportunities.
Though common misconceptions still suggest menopause equals steep declines in physical and mental health, the truth is far more nuanced. Research shows no consistent evidence linking menopause to increased risks of anxiety, bipolar disorder, or severe depression for all women. For many, it marks a stage of freedom—whether from periods, PMS, or birth control.
Acknowledging menopause as part of healthy aging helps reduce fear and stigma, empowering women to make more informed decisions about their care.
How MHT Works
MHT is typically prescribed for women who are transitioning into menopause (perimenopause) or who are navigating postmenopausal life. Here’s how it works:
- Formulations
MHT comes in various forms tailored to your needs—like pills, patches, gels, vaginal creams, or intrauterine devices (IUDs).
- Hormone Combinations
For women who have had a hysterectomy, estrogen alone may be prescribed. For others, a combination of estrogen and progesterone is used to protect the uterine lining. Testosterone may also be added in specific cases to address issues like low libido.
- Personalized Doses
Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, doses can be adjusted depending on your symptoms, age, and health risks, making MHT safer and more effective.
MHT vs. HRT for Younger Women and Specific Cases
It’s worth noting that HRT still plays a role in certain situations. For women who experience early menopause (before age 40) or conditions like primary ovarian insufficiency, HRT may be used to fully restore hormones to premenopausal levels until the natural age of menopause.
MHT, on the other hand, is more suited to women over 50 dealing with symptoms of natural menopause, using lower doses to strike a balance between symptom relief and minimizing risks.
Is MHT Right for You?
Deciding whether to use MHT is highly individual. Factors like your personal symptoms, medical history, and risk preferences all play a part.
It’s also important to note that MHT offers added protection against chronic conditions like osteoporosis and heart disease—but it’s not without its considerations. Specific risks, such as an increased likelihood of breast cancer or stroke with certain formulations (especially those combining estrogen and synthetic progestins), mean that thorough discussions with your doctor are key. Many studies show that the benefits of MHT far outweigh the potential risks for many women. As always a complete background of your own medical issues, family history and specific health concerns helps your Naturopathic Doctor to suggest the best course of action for you.
Breaking Down Stigma
Menopause affects half the population, but cultural taboos have long kept the topic in the shadows. Thankfully, that’s shifting—and MHT is part of the story. By focusing on menopause as a natural and healthy life stage, rather than a medical problem, the discussion becomes more inclusive and empowering.
Take the Next Step
Curious to learn more about MHT or want personalized support managing your menopause? Struggling to decide whether hormone therapy is right for you?
Understanding your options is the first step to navigating menopause with confidence, whether you choose MHT, natural remedies, or something else entirely.
Menopause is not the end—it’s a new chapter. With the right support, it can be one of growth, health, and balance.
Explore MHT. Empower your aging. Live your best life. Schedule your free 15-minute Discovery Call with Dr. Melissa McCarty & her team, today.
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