What is the primary goal of menopause hormone therapy (MHT)?

The primary goal of menopause hormone therapy (MHT) is to relieve menopausal symptoms. During menopause, women experience a significant decline in hormone levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone, leading to symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, and sleep disturbances. MHT aims to alleviate these symptoms by replenishing hormones, thus improving the quality of life for women transitioning through menopause.

While preventing osteoporosis is an important consideration and MHT can provide some protective benefits against bone density loss, the immediate and most pressing concern for many women undergoing menopause is the relief of acute menopausal symptoms. Maintaining fertility is not within the scope of MHT, as menopause signifies the end of reproductive capability. Similarly, enhancing libido may be a secondary benefit for some women, but it is not the primary objective of MHT treatment. Therefore, the focus is on symptom relief to address the challenges that arise during this natural life stage.