Hormone Treatments: What It Is and What to Expect
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Hormone Treatments?
An ob-gyn, a doctor who treats women's health, can discuss hormone therapy for menopause. An oncologist, a doctor who treats cancer, can discuss hormone therapy for cancer. An endocrinologist treats hormone conditions. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
Hormones are chemicals made by the body that send messages to control how certain types of cells or organs work.
One kind of hormone treatment is hormone therapy for menopause. Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her menstrual periods stop. This treatment involves taking estrogen, with or without progesterone, to replace some of the hormones the body no longer makes. Another kind is hormone therapy for cancer, which slows or stops the growth of cancer that uses hormones to grow.
Other kinds exist. One is thyroid hormone given after the thyroid gland is removed. Another is hormone therapy used by transgender people. They are not covered here.
Why a doctor might recommend it
Lower hormone levels during menopause can cause hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, vaginal dryness, and pain during sex. Hormone therapy may help relieve these symptoms.
Hormone therapy for cancer is used to treat prostate and breast cancers that use hormones to grow. It can stop or slow the cancer's growth and reduce the chance that it will return.
How to prepare
- For menopause, talk with your health care provider about your medical history before starting hormone therapy.
- For cancer, your cancer care team will weigh many factors before recommending it. These include the type and stage of the cancer.
What happens during it
Menopause hormone therapy comes in several forms. Most are pills taken by mouth. Others are skin patches, gels, sprays, vaginal creams, tablets, or rings. If you had a hysterectomy (surgery to remove your uterus), you may be given estrogen only. If you still have your uterus, you may be given estrogen plus progesterone or progestin.
Hormone therapy for cancer can be pills you swallow, shots, or surgery. Surgery removes the organs that make hormones. These are the ovaries in women and the testicles in men.
Recovery
For menopause, ask your provider how often you should follow up. Many providers suggest checking in every three to six months at first. Then once a year is common after treatment is working well.
If you take hormone therapy for breast cancer, you will have regular check-ups and regular mammograms.
Risks and side effects
For some women, menopause hormone therapy may raise the risk of blood clots, heart attack, stroke, breast cancer, and gallbladder disease. The risk depends on the type, how long you use it, and your health history and lifestyle. If you decide to use it, the usual advice is to use the lowest dose that helps and for the shortest time needed.
Hormone therapy for cancer can cause unwanted side effects. Men treated for prostate cancer may have hot flashes, weakened bones, and fatigue. Women treated for breast cancer may have hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood changes. Some of these drugs are hazardous. Ask your cancer care team about safety steps. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, fainting, sudden weakness or change in vision, inability to speak, coughing up or vomiting blood, or bleeding that will not stop.
Who performs it
Your provider can help you choose the type and form that is best for you.
Common questions
Is hormone therapy for cancer the same as hormone replacement therapy?
No. Hormone therapy for cancer is not the same as hormone replacement therapy. Those treatments are used to manage the symptoms of menopause.
Who should not use hormone therapy for menopause?
You should not use it if you are or may be pregnant. You also should not use it if you have unexplained vaginal bleeding. Other reasons include certain cancers in the past, a stroke or heart attack, blood clots, or liver disease.
Which cancers are treated with hormone therapy?
It is mostly used for certain kinds of breast cancer and prostate cancer that depend on sex hormones to grow.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance.
Sources
- American Cancer Society - Hormone Therapy
- National Cancer Institute - Hormone Therapy for Cancer
- MedlinePlus - Hormone Therapy for Menopause
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
