hormone replacement therapy

noun

: the therapeutic use of hormones typically to increase diminished levels in the body : hormone therapy

The usual treatment for hypothyroidism is hormone replacement therapy.

—Kate Murphy

especially : the administration of estrogen often along with a synthetic progestin especially to ameliorate the symptoms of menopause and reduce the risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis

—abbreviation HRT

Examples of hormone replacement therapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For one, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a standard treatment for hormonal changes during menopause, but Black women were less likely to get a prescription than white women, according to the SWAN study. —Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 4 Mar. 2026

Since 2021, there has been a 72% increase in women using hormone replacement therapy, according to a study by Epic Research. —Kristine Lazar, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026

Newer scientific research shows that the benefits of hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, far outweigh the risks for most women, experts say, particularly those who are younger than 60 or within 10 years of menopause. —Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2026

Under Davis’s leadership, UT stopped providing gender affirming care that offered hormone replacement therapy for transgender students. —Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 22 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hormone replacement therapy

• brachytherapy
• chemotherapy
• cryotherapy
• hydrotherapy
• hypnotherapy
• monotherapy
• phototherapy
• psychotherapy
• sclerotherapy
• immunotherapy
• pharmacotherapy
• physiotherapy

Medical Definition

hormone replacement therapy

noun

: the therapeutic use of hormones typically to increase diminished levels in the body : hormone therapy

The usual treatment for hypothyroidism is hormone replacement therapy.

—Kate Murphy

especially : the administration of estrogen often along with a synthetic progestin especially to ameliorate the symptoms of menopause and reduce the risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis

—abbreviation HRT