Hormone replacement therapy. Circular dispenser of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) pills used to treat menopausal women. HRT involves taking a combination of female hormones, or synthetic versions, to replace the deficiency that occurs at menopause. HRT helps to prevent osteoporosis, atherosclerosis and atrophic vaginitis (where the vagina becomes thin and dry). Pills are taken daily on a monthly basis to coincide with the menstrual cycle. Adverse effects include nausea, tenderness of the breasts, fluid retention, leg cramps and increased risk of thrombosis and some forms of cancer. These tablets contain oestradiol, oestriol and norethisterone acetate.