What are the signs you need hormone replacement therapy? And why it may matter for longevity.

Hormone replacement therapy could be a major key to unlocking health benefits for women going through menopause, according to new research.

A study published Aug. 29 in the journal JAMA Network Open looked at more than 100,000 women in the U.K. and found that those on hormone therapy seemed to biologically age slower than those not taking hormones.

"We found that postmenopausal women who historically received (hormone therapy) were biologically younger than those who did not receive HT, regardless of socioeconomic background," the authors wrote. "Our findings highlight the importance of emphasizing HT use in postmenopausal women to promote inclusive healthy aging."

It's a stark contrast from past research, which discouraged the use of hormone therapy for most women.

Could hormone therapy be the right treatment for you? Here's what medical experts want you to know.

What are the signs that you need hormone replacement therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy, also referred to as menopausal hormone therapy or just hormone therapy, is a treatment given to people assigned female at birth during perimenopause or menopause, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. During that time period, the hormones estrogen and progesterone fluctuate and then decrease, which can cause a host of side effects.

"We mostly go based on how they're feeling," gynecologist Karen Tang, M.D., tells USA TODAY of how doctors begin to assess whether someone may need external help navigating menopause symptoms. She points to symptoms such as "hot flashes, mood swings, difficulty sleeping, vaginal bladder symptoms like vaginal dryness, pain with sex and more frequent UTIs."

Why are doctors hesitant to prescribe HRT?

Previous research suggested hormone replacement therapy was riskier and that menopause symptoms weren't as bad, though mounting newer studies suggest otherwise. Still, there are some people who doctors would advise against getting hormone therapy: namely, those with breast cancer or certain cardiovascular issues.

More:Why some doctors shy away from hormone therapy for menopause – and what to know about risks

"Risk factors for that include things like cancer treatments: chemo and radiation," Tang says. "A lot of breast cancer patients go through early menopause. ... But for somebody who's in a more normal age range for menopause, if they're feeling fine and they're not having any noticeable or bothersome symptoms, we don't automatically give them hormones."