Hormone Therapy

Tier 2: Professional organization or credentialed expert guidance
Publisher: The Menopause Society · Published: August 2, 2026 · Accessed: August 2, 2026

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Claims this source supports

• Hormone therapy is FDA-approved as a first-line treatment for bothersome hot flashes and is considered the most effective treatment for them.
• Experts generally agree benefits tend to outweigh risks for most women when hormone therapy is started within about 10 years of menopause onset or before age 60.
• Risks can include stroke, blood clots, and breast cancer, and they vary with the type of therapy, route, and duration; women with a uterus typically need estrogen plus a progestogen.
• The 2022 position statement lists duration of use as one factor among several (type, dose, duration, route, timing of initiation, progestogen use) that affect hormone therapy risk; no blanket time limit or stop date is endorsed. (Verified 2026-08-06)