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MENOPAUSE IS A NATURAL STAGE OF LIFE, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO MANAGE THE SYMPTOMS WITHOUT HELP OR MEDICATION. THERE IS A WIDE RANGE OF TREATMENT OPTIONS AND LIFESTYLE CHANGES THAT YOU CAN DISCUSS WITH YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER.

Start by exploring the various treatment options below so that you can see what might work best for you.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

  • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also known as MHT (Menopausal Hormone Therapy), is a treatment that can help you manage your menopause symptoms by replacing the hormones, oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone, in your body.1,2 HRT is the first line treatment recommended by international guidelines.3-5

  • HRT is not a ‘one size fits all’ treatment – there are many types of HRT available, which are administered in different ways, such as via tablets, patches, gel, spray or hormonal coil. It can take time to find the right treatment, but remember your doctor is there to help you find the one that works best for you. The transdermal route of administration has lower risks associated than oral administration. Oral, but not transdermal HRT, is associated with an increase in venous thromboembolism. Transdermal oestrogen has no increased risk of blood clots or stroke, according to menopause international guidelines.3-5 You’ll usually need to take HRT for 2-5 years, although it can be longer or shorter in some cases.1 

  • As your body makes less of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone during menopause, HRT works by replacing these hormones – you can either take an oestrogen-only HRT or a combined HRT (oestrogen and progestogen).6 Your doctor may also talk to you about testosterone supplementation for low sex drive (low libido), in addition to HRT.7

    HRT that contains hormones that are identical to the hormones found naturally in the female body is known as body-identical HRT.7,8

    Your treatment may also depend on whether you’ve had a hysterectomy (removal of the womb)
    • If you’ve had a hysterectomy – oestrogen-only HRT would be prescribed
    • If you’ve not had a hysterectomy – you’ll need to take both oestrogen and progestogen

Non-hormonal treatments

HRT won’t be the right fit for every woman. There are also several non-hormonal treatment options that your healthcare provider may consider offering to help manage your symptoms, including other prescription medications, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and alternative medicines or supplements.9,10

Herbal remedies

There are also some herbal or natural remedies that are taken for menopause including evening primrose oil, black cohosh, angelica, ginseng, St John’s wort and red clover.11 You should discuss any natural remedies you’re considering taking with your healthcare provider.
As these are not regulated in the same way as medicines, such as HRT, it is not known how safe or effective herbal remedies are.11

Lifestyle changes

During menopause, changes to your hormones can affect how you feel physically and emotionally. Lifestyle changes such as eating well, exercising and looking after your emotional wellbeing can help you manage your menopause symptoms.

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  1. Australian Menopause Society. What is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) and is it safe? [Internet]. Available at: https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/what-is-menopausal-hormone-therapy-mht-and-is-it-safe Last accessed October 2024.
  1. NHS. About hormone replacement therapy (HRT) [Internet]. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/about-hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/ Last accessed October 2024.
  1. International Menopause Society. IMS Recommendations on women’s midlife health and menopause hormone therapy. Climateric, 2016;19(2):109–150.
  1. NAMS Position Statement. Menopause: The Journal of The North American Menopause Society. 2022;29(7):767–794.
  1. European Menopause and Andropause Society. Menopause, wellbeing and health: A care pathway. Maturitas. 2022;163:1–14.
  1. NHS. Types of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) [Internet]. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/types-of-hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/ Last accessed October 2024.
  1. NICE guidelines [NG23]. Menopause: diagnosis and management [Internet]. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/chapter/Recommendations Last accessed October 2024.
  1. BMS. Bioidentical HRT [Internet]. Available at: https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/01-BMS-ConsensusStatement-Bioidentical-HRT-OCT2023-A.pdf Last accessed October 2024.
  1. North American Menopause Society Position Statement. Menopause: The Journal of The North American Menopause Society. 2023;30(6):573-590.
  1. NHS. Menopause: treatment [Internet]. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/treatment/ Last accessed October 2024.
  1. NHS. Herbal remedies and complementary medicines for menopause symptoms [Internet]. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/alternatives-to-hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/herbal-remedies-and-complementary-medicines-for-menopause-symptoms/ Last accessed October 2024.
  1. BDA. Menopause and diet [Internet]. Available at: https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/menopause-diet.html Last accessed October 2024.
  1. The Menopause Charity. Living well through your perimenopause and menopause [Internet]. Available at: https://www.themenopausecharity.org/2022/04/19/living-well-through-your-perimenopause-and-menopause/ Last accessed October 2024.
  1. The Menopause Charity. Lifestyle for healthy bones [Internet]. Available at: https://www.themenopausecharity.org/2021/10/21/lifestyle-for-healthy-bones/ Last accessed October 2024.
  1. NHS. Menopause: things you can do [Internet]. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/things-you-can-do/ Last accessed October 2024.
  1. Women’s Health Concern. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms [Internet]. Available at: https://www.womens-health-concern.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/02-WHC-FACTSHEET-CBT-WOMEN-FEB-2023-A.pdf Last accessed October 2024.
  1. NIH. Sleep Problems and Menopause: What Can I Do? [Internet]. Available at: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/menopause/sleep-problems-and-menopause-what-can-i-do Last accessed October 2024.