What are the benefits of HRT? (hormone replacement therapy)?

Menopausal symptoms usually ease

This can make a big difference to quality of life in some women.

• HRT tends to stop hot flushes and night sweats within a few weeks.
• HRT will reverse many of the changes around the vagina and vulva
  usually within 1-3 months. However, it can take up to a year of
  treatment in some cases.
• There is no good evidence that HRT itself improves your mood or
  your sleep. However, if you are anxious, irritable, depressed, etc, at
  the same time as having menopausal symptoms, these symptoms may also
  ease if symptoms such as hot flushes or a dry vagina are eased.
  Therefore, there may be a 'knock-on' effect on your general well-being
  after starting HRT.

If you take HRT long-term (several years or more)

Taking
either oestrogen-only or combined HRT may reduce your risk of
osteoporosis. You will have a reduced risk of breaking a bone,
especially your hip. However, the protective effect against
osteoporosis is small. HRT is not usually recommended as a first-line
treatment for osteoporosis as the risks (see below) are thought to
outweigh the benefits. But, if you are taking HRT for the treatment of,
for example, hot flushes and sweats, you will get this small knock-on
benefit.

HRT is also thought to produce a small reduction in
your risk of developing colorectal (bowel) cancer. However, HRT is not
currently recommended just for preventing colorectal cancer. Again, the
risks outweigh the benefits. But, if you are taking HRT for the
treatment of, for example, hot flushes and sweats, you will get this
small knock-on benefit.