Women’s health

Menopause and hormone therapy

Menopause is when a woman stops having menstrual periods. It usually happens between 45 and 55. If you are younger than 45 and think you may be entering menopause, please see your physician.

Symptoms

Symptoms can start before your last period and continue for a while afterwards. They include anxiety, low mood, hot flushes and night sweats, vaginal dryness and reduced sex drive. You may have some, none or many of them.

Treatment

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT, formerly called hormone replacement therapy) is estrogen, with or without a progestin depending on whether you still have your uterus. It can relieve hot flushes, sleep and mood disturbances, and may help with joint aches. It can be taken as tablets, skin patches or gel.

Equally important are lubricants, regular exercise, cognitive behavioural therapy and a healthy, active lifestyle. Talk to your physician about which options are right for you, including how MHT affects your breast cancer risk.

This article gives general information and doesn’t replace advice from your physician. Want to know which screenings apply to you? Take the ScreenMe questionnaire.