What should I know about menopause hormonal therapy?
At times, the symptoms of menopause – such as hot flushes, vaginal dryness and poor sleep – become bothersome enough to need extra support. Menopause hormonal therapy (MHT, sometimes called hormone replacement therapy or HRT) can help. Here's a mini-introduction to MHT:1,2,3,4,5
What does MHT do?
The transition to menopause (also called perimenopause) is marked by a drop in oestrogen. MHT replaces hormones in the body to help relieve common menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, vaginal dryness and poor sleep
What types of MHT are there?
While menopause hormonal therapy refers to the medical replacement of hormones, it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. These are the hormones involved:
- Oestrogen is the main hormone required for symptom relief. If you have had a hysterectomy (you no longer have a uterus), this could be sufficient.5
- Oestrogen + progesterone; if you still have a uterus, progesterone must be taken in combination (this helps reduce the risk of endometrial cancer, or cancer of the uterus)5
- Testosterone may be taken in small amounts to treat low sex drive.
How do I take MHT?
There are different methods, including pill, patch, gel, vaginal cream and IUD.
How will I know which dose and method of MHT is right for me?
This isn’t something you decide alone. Your doctor will help you identify the correct combination of dosage and method for you. Depending on dose and duration, MHT can reduce the risk of some chronic conditions.
Are there any risks to taking MHT?
As with all medications, there are some risks; your doctor can manage different methods and dosages to reduce these. Current international recommendations show the benefits out weight the risks and that MHT is safe and effective for symptom relief in healthy women.
What about non-hormonal therapies?6
These options are available if MHT is not desired or recommended, or when lifestyle changes aren’t sufficient to manage symptoms. Some prescription medications traditionally used for other conditions can be used to treat the symptoms of menopause. These include specific low dose antidepressants and some types of epilepsy and high blood pressure medications. Speak to your Pharmacist to discuss your options.
I’m interested in non-medical treatments7
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), cooling bracelets and neck pillows and complementary medicines such as black cohosh may help. Yoga, exercising, relaxation, mindfulness and stress reduction can increase wellbeing, resilience and coping strategies during menopause.