Caption

MODEL RELEASED. Hormone replacement therapy patch. Elderly woman applying a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) patch to her arm. This transdermal patch slowly administers the hormone oestrogen into the bloodstream. Oestrogen replacement therapy is typically given to relieve menopausal symptoms in women. These symptoms can include hot flushes, night sweating and atrophic vaginitis (vaginal dryness). HRT also helps prevent atherosclerosis (arterial narrowing due to fatty deposits) and osteoporosis (loss of bone density). However, side-effects include an increased risk of some forms of cancer and thrombosis. Treatment is normally given for two to five years.