What is generally the most common form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for managing menopausal symptoms?

The most common form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for managing menopausal symptoms is oral estrogen medications. This approach is widely utilized because of the long-standing familiarity with oral HRT and its historical establishment in clinical practice. Oral estrogen has been effective in alleviating various menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.

Oral medication forms are typically convenient for patients as they are easy to administer and integrate into daily routines. Additionally, they have been extensively studied in clinical trials, providing robust data on their effectiveness and safety profile over years of use.

While transdermal patches and other forms, such as implantable hormones and intrauterine hormone delivery, are also viable alternatives and may be preferred in certain clinical situations or for specific patient populations, oral estrogen remains the most frequently prescribed method. Its widespread acceptance is due to factors such as ease of use, availability, and the broad evidence base supporting its use in treating menopausal symptoms.