Continuous combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medicine used to treat hot flushes, mood swings, vaginal dryness and other symptoms of menopause.
It can also prevent weakening bones (osteoporosis), which can be common after menopause.
Continuous combined HRT is only available on prescription. It comes as tablets and patches.
Treating menopause symptoms
Menopause symptoms are caused by a drop in the levels of oestrogen and progesterone produced in the ovaries.
Combined HRT uses different types of oestrogen and progesterone, called oestrogens and progestogens, to raise the levels of these hormones in your body.
Your GP will usually recommended continuous combined HRT if you are post-menopause (you have not had a period for 1 year or more).
Continuous combined HRT is not suitable if you have menopause symptoms but are still having periods (perimenopause), or had a period within the last 12 months. This is because it may cause irregular bleeding.
In these cases your GP will usually recommend sequential combined HRT instead.
It's important to take both oestrogen and progestogen, unless you've had a hysterectomy (surgery to remove your womb).
Taking oestrogen-based HRT on its own can thicken the womb lining, which slightly increases the risk of womb cancer. Taking progestogen together with oestrogen reduces this risk.