menopausal hormone therapy

Definition of menopausal hormone therapy

menopausal hormone therapy (MEH-nuh-PAW-zul HOR-mone THAYR-uh-pee): Treatment with the hormones estrogen and progesterone or with estrogen alone to help relieve symptoms of menopause. Symptoms may include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, sleep problems, mood swings, and thinning of the bones. Menopausal hormone therapy is given to replace the natural hormones that are no longer made by the body. It is given to women who have gone through menopause or who have early menopause caused by cancer treatment or by having their ovaries removed by surgery. Also called MHT.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms