When is hormone replacement therapy recommended for menopause?

Hormone replacement therapy replaces some of the oestrogen the body no longer makes after menopause. It can help symptoms including hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and sleep disruption related to those symptoms. Oestrogen may be given through the skin, by mouth or locally in the vagina, depending on the goal.

If you still have a womb, progestogen is generally combined with systemic oestrogen to protect the womb lining. The choice depends on symptoms, age, time since periods stopped, medical history and personal preferences. HRT is not suitable for everyone and needs a tailored review.

Make a list of symptoms, their effect on work and sleep, your last natural period, medicines and health history. Tell the clinician about blood clots, stroke, liver disease, unexplained vaginal bleeding, hormone-sensitive cancer, migraines and cardiovascular problems. Discuss non-hormonal options if HRT is unsuitable or not wanted, and agree how treatment will be reviewed.

Arrange prompt medical assessment for bleeding after menopause, especially if it is new or repeated. Seek urgent help for chest pain, sudden breathlessness, one-sided leg swelling, severe headache, weakness, or speech difficulty while using HRT. Report troublesome side effects rather than stopping a prescribed plan without advice.

Ask which symptom the treatment is targeting, whether you need both hormones, which route fits your history, what warning signs to watch for, and when the prescription should be reviewed.