Hormone Replacement Therapy for Menopause

Course overview

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) remains the most effective intervention for managing moderate to severe menopausal symptoms, yet its use is nuanced by complex risk-benefit considerations. This 3.0 contact hour course is designed specifically for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) and offers a comprehensive, evidence-based review of systemic and local HRT options. The course emphasizes pharmacologic principles, formulation comparisons, cardiovascular and oncologic safety data, and the integration of current clinical guidelines to support individualized, safe prescribing. APRNs will gain confidence in selecting appropriate therapies, managing risks, and counseling diverse menopausal patients. Learning Objectives By the end of this course, the participant will be able to: Describe the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of various estrogen and progestin formulations used in menopausal hormone therapy. Evaluate the benefits and risks of systemic and local hormone therapy in the context of cardiovascular, oncologic, and bone health. Apply evidence-based clinical guidelines to determine appropriate candidates for hormone replacement therapy. Compare routes of administration and formulation options for HRT, including bioidentical and compounded preparations. Integrate shared decision-making and individualized risk assessment into the prescribing and management of hormone therapy in menopausal patients.