Definition of Estrogen/progestin therapy

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Estrogen/progestin therapy: Abbreviated EPT. A combination of the hormones estrogen and progestin. Taken by women, the estrogen in the EPT relieves such symptoms of menopause as hot flashes, night sweats, sleeplessness, and vaginal dryness. Hormone replacement therapy may increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, breast cancer, and blood clots in the lungs and legs. When taken alone, however, estrogen also increases the risk for cancer of the uterine lining, or endometrium. Combining estrogen with progestin reduces the risk of endometrial cancer. EPT is a form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).