What is the Origin of Conventional HRT?

The term arose in the mid-20th century with the widespread clinical adoption of standardized estrogen and progestin medications to manage menopausal symptoms. The descriptor "conventional" became necessary to differentiate these standardized, non-human-identical formulations from the newer, chemically identical "bioidentical" hormone preparations. Major clinical studies have provided the foundational data regarding the long-term risks and benefits associated with these specific drug structures.

What is the Mechanism of Conventional HRT?

Conventional HRT operates by introducing exogenous hormone analogs that bind to and activate the native estrogen and progesterone receptors in target tissues. Although structurally distinct from human hormones, these compounds are designed to exert therapeutic effects on the brain, bone, and urogenital tract. The synthetic progestin component is specifically included in women with a uterus to oppose the proliferative effect of estrogen on the endometrium, thereby reducing the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma.

Conventional HRT

Meaning

Conventional HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) refers to the use of standardized, often FDA-approved pharmaceutical products for the treatment of hormone deficiency, typically in menopausal women. These formulations have historically included conjugated equine estrogens and synthetic progestins, which are not chemically identical to the endogenous human hormones. It represents a structured, population-based therapeutic approach aimed at alleviating vasomotor symptoms and preventing bone loss. The clinical application is guided by extensive, large-scale clinical trial data.