Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), also known as menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), is widely recognized as the most effective treatment for managing some of the most disruptive symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Is it the right choice for you?

The average age of menopause in the U.S. is 51, though it can occur anytime between 45 and 55. Menopause is a single moment in time—the 12-month anniversary of your last period. After that, you are considered post-menopausal.

Perimenopause is the gradual transition leading up to menopause, usually starting in a woman’s 40s (though it can begin earlier or later). This phase is known for irregular hormone fluctuations, which can cause a wide range of symptoms. It’s often described as “the change before the change” or “puberty in reverse.”