Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment used to replace the female hormones that a woman’s body is no longer producing because of the menopause.

The menopause occurs when levels of the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone fall and your ovaries stop producing eggs. Menstruation (your periods) ends and you are no longer able to become pregnant.

When oestrogen and progesterone levels fall, this can cause a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms. HRT can restore these hormone levels and enable the body to function normally again.