Types of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) - NHS

Tier 1: Established: peer-reviewed research or government health authority
Publisher: NHS (National Health Service, UK) · Published: September 16, 2026 · Accessed: September 16, 2026

Visit the source ↗

Claims this source supports

• HRT can contain different hormones (oestrogen, progestogen or both; a specialist may sometimes prescribe testosterone) and can be taken or used in different ways: tablets, patches, gel, spray, or vaginal rings, pessaries or cream.
• HRT routines can be cyclical (sequential) or continuous.
• Oestrogen-only HRT is recommended if you have had your womb removed during a hysterectomy.
• If you still have your womb you'll need to take both oestrogen and progestogen, because taking both helps protect against the risk of womb cancer.
• Oestrogen can come from tablets, patches, spray or gel; progestogen can come from tablets or an intrauterine system (IUS) such as the Mirena coil.
• The type of HRT that's best for you depends on factors like whether you've had a hysterectomy, what stage of menopause you're at, and your personal preferences.