Are there treatments for the menopause?

Some women choose to go through the menopause without treatment, while others prefer some form of treatment to manage their symptoms.

If your symptoms are severe or affecting your quality of life, there’s treatment available which could help.

This includes hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which replaces oestrogen to alleviate symptoms, creams for vaginal dryness, and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) to help with mood changes. Speak to your doctor about the risks and benefits of different treatments.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), also known as hormone therapy, menopausal hormone therapy, and estrogen replacement therapy, replaces the key hormones you lose during the menopause. It helps stabilize your hormone levels, thereby relieving the symptoms experienced during perimenopause.

Hormone therapy may be an effective treatment in women under the age of 60, or within 10 years of menopause onset, for the reduction of:

Hot flashes
Night sweats
Flushing
Joint pains
Mood swings
Vaginal atrophy

HRT can also help prevent thinning of the bones, which can lead to fractures (osteoporosis). Osteoporosis is more common after the menopause. You can reduce your chances of developing osteoporosis by:

Taking HRT
Exercising regularly
Eating a healthy diet
Getting plenty of sunlight
Stopping smoking and cutting down on alcohol
Taking calcium and vitamin D supplements

HRT is available as tablets, skin patches, gels and implants that relieve menopausal symptoms by replacing oestrogen. Other medications may be used to treat more specific menopause symptoms like hair loss and vaginal dryness. Certain types of HRT can slightly increase the risk of breast cancer and blood clots in some women. If you are thinking about HRT, you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor first.