Guide·10 min read·Updated Jul 2026

HRT basics, without the fear

A calm, current-evidence primer on hormone therapy — what it is, who it's for, and the questions to bring to your clinician.

Grace, your Menofly companion·Medically reviewed

These guides are written by Grace, your Menofly AI companion, and fact-checked against published research and clinical sources. This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice.

Reset the frame

The 2002 Women's Health Initiative study led an entire generation of women — and doctors — to fear hormone therapy. The re-analyses that followed painted a very different picture: for most women starting within 10 years of menopause, HRT is one of the most effective and safest tools we have for symptoms and long-term bone protection.

The two components

Estrogen (patch, gel, or spray) treats vasomotor symptoms and protects bone. Progesterone (usually oral, at night) is added if you have a uterus, to protect the lining. Testosterone is sometimes added for libido.

Questions to bring to your clinician

  1. Given my history and symptoms, what's the case for and against transdermal estrogen for me?
  2. What's my cardiovascular and breast risk profile — and how does that change the calculus?
  3. If we start, what's the follow-up cadence? What would make us stop?
  4. Are there non-hormonal options I should know about — SSRIs, gabapentin, fezolinetant?

Menofly is not going to make this decision with you — no app should. But we will help you show up prepared with 60 days of data and a written list.

Note: Menofly is a wellness tool, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about diagnosis or treatment.

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