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

Novo is best known for its obesity and diabetes drugs, but also develops haemophilia (blood clotting) medications and hormone replacement therapies. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

Palma, 52, met with five doctors before finding one that would prescribe her hormone replacement therapy, including vaginal estrogen. — Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026

The growing interest in testosterone comes amid an increase in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) among menopausal women, which typically uses estrogen with or without progesterone to replace declining hormones during menopause. — Ava Tsapatsaris, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026

Those who can actually get in to see a doctor to prescribe hormone replacement therapy are now dealing with an estrogen patch shortage, leaving them scrambling to get their prescriptions. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 17 Sep. 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