Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of hormone replacement in mammals, which method comprises the oral administration of an estrogenic component and a progestogenic component to a mammal in an effective amount to prevent or treat symptoms of hypoestrogenism, wherein the estrogenic component is selected from the group consisting of substances represented by the above formula in which formula R1, R2, R3, R4 independently are a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or an alkoxy group with 1-5 carbon atoms; each of R5, R6, R7 is a hydroxyl group; and no more than 3 of R1, R2, R3, R4 are hydrogen atoms; precursors capable of liberating a substance according to the aforementioned formula when used in the present method; and mixtures of one or more of the aforementioned substances and/or precursors.