Estrogen and progesterone are the two hormones naturally produced by a woman’s body that regulate her monthly menstrual cycles. As perimenopause begins to take place, the woman’s ovaries—the small, oval shaped organs that produce estrogen and progesterone—begin to shrink in size. As the ovaries begin to shrink, the production of estrogen and progesterone is interrupted, and the levels of the hormones begin to fluctuate. As these levels fluctuate, the woman begins to experience the common symptoms of pre-menopause.

Not surprisingly, the majority of treatments for these symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances, are based on estrogen and progesterone. These two vital hormones are the basis for hormone replacement therapy, or HRT. Women may receive replacement therapy in a variety of different ways. Some women may receive only estrogen, while others may take both estrogen and progestin, the synthetically produced version of progesterone. Progesterone has been shown to be beneficial in reducing the risk of uterine cancer in women taking estrogen therapy.

Both estrogen and progestin can be dispensed in a variety of different ways. These methods include pills, patches, gels, and creams for the vaginal dryness many women experience during menopause. While the two hormones either taken alone or together have been shown to have many benefits, primarily alleviating the common symptoms of menopause, they also have certain risks. It is a good idea for a woman to speak with her doctor about which type of therapy will work best. For example, taking estrogen alone may not be the best idea for a woman who has not had a hysterectomy and thus still has her uterus, as estrogen-alone therapy may increase the risk of uterine cancer. For this particular woman, it would be more beneficial to take a combination of estrogen and progestin.

It is important to research information about estrogen and progestin, especially if you are experiencing symptoms of menopause and are considering the replacement therapy. Talk to your doctor about which combination of hormones is right for you, or if you should consider alternative therapies because of your personal health history or concerns.