Medical Treatments for Menopause

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

The main medical treatment for menopausal symptoms is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT replaces two hormones (oestrogen and/or progesterone) which the female body stops producing as much of when it enters perimenopause.

HRT can be a bit of a journey and generally takes about 3 months to get the dosage and kind of HRT right for people.

There are two different types of HRT. 

Option 1: Oestrogen HRT

• For people who have had a hysterectomy;
• Oestrogen HRT can be taken as skin patches, gel or spray to apply to the skin, implants or tablet form.

Option 2: Combined HRT

• For people who have a womb (uterus);
• Combines oestrogen and progesterone and is the type most commonly recommended.
• Combined HRT can also come as patches, tablets or an IUS ((intrauterine systems or coil) which comes in the form of an implant under the skin).

Risks of HRT

For those taking Oestrogen HRT there is little or no increased risk of breast cancer however for those taking Combined HRT there is. The risk gets higher the longer you stay on it, especially if combined with risk factors such as body weight, drinking and smoking.  When you stop taking Combined HRT the risk reduces.

For those taking tablets, there is an increased risk of blood clots however no such risk is associated with patches or gel. There is also an increased risk of stroke in people over 60 years of age.

Some people cannot take HRT due to other medical interventions or illnesses so it’s worth having a conversation with an experienced and informed medical practitioner to see if this is a viable option for you.

Herbal Treatments

Another strategy is herbal treatments. There are many different herbal treatments and supplements available. Monitor which specific symptoms you are currently experiencing and do your research to see what treatment may help you before running it past your GP.

Herbal treatments and supplements can be very helpful but for some people they can be counterproductive. Equally taking too many supplements can be counterproductive at times too. Some supplements such as Black cohosh cannot be taken if you have any history with cancers and it cannot be taken if you have any hormone sensitive conditions either.  More research into the effectiveness of herbal treatments needs to be conducted.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are medications that help treat symptoms of depression. Most impact a type of chemical called a neurotransmitter which carry messages between the cells of your brain. Despite their name, antidepressants can treat a variety of conditions beside depressions including taking the edge off menopause symptoms. Please note, doctors should always be consulted before taking antidepressants and it will need to be reviewed regularly.   

Alternative treatments

There are many other alternative therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), acupuncture, mindfulness, acupressure, aromatherapy etc which can all be investigated to help treat menopause symptoms.

Top tips for going through menopause

• Keep a diary – By tracking when symptoms appear this can give you a greater understanding of what is happening to you. For example, is your sleep being impacted, have your eating habits changed, do you experience hot patterns at specific times. Having this allows you to make informed decisions and track for any changes if you decide to get medical assistance with menopause.
• Regularly check your breasts for any changes - Add a reminder into your calendar to ensure you do this.
• Build that work-life balance – Recognise the importance of self-care and build in time for you. Write down some ‘non-negotiables’. Things that make you feel better when you do them and make time for them.
• Healthy diet – Having a balanced diet should be a priority. 90% - 95% of serotonin (our feel-good hormone) is produced in the gut. You can also absorb low levels of oestrogen through food in your diet.
• Find time for activity – Even when energy levels are low. Physical inactivity increases 35 chronic diseases.  Ensure you are including strength exercises to counteract the risk of osteoporosis; such as body weight exercises, lifting weights, resistance machines, yoga and Pilates.
• Stay hydrated
• Reduce alcohol intake
• Stop smoking
• Manage your stress – It’s important to recognise that working in a school environment comes with a huge amount of emotional, mental and physical pressure too and we need to be mindful of that.
• Speak to people – Chat about how you are feeling with family and friends. Don’t forget you can also discuss this with colleagues, manager, HR to let them know too and ask for help when required.

Read more from our menopause series below:

• Navigating menopause in the workplace
• Top tips for going through menopause

More information on navigating menopause can be found here:

• National Health Service (NHS)
• Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist
• Menopause matters
• Women’s Health Concerns

Information provided is not intended to give medical advice and content provided is for information purposes and does not take the place of a formal medical assessment.