Menopausal hormone therapy
Menopausal hormone therapy
What is menopause?
Menopause
is your
final period
.
As you approach menopause, your reproductive hormones (e.g. oestrogen) drop. Most women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. In Australia, the average age to reach menopause is 51 to 52.
What is menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)?
MHT is medicine that contains oestrogen, progesterone and sometimes testosterone. It is used to manage the symptoms of menopause when they interfere with your daily life.
MHT is available in different doses and forms. For example, pills, patches, gels, vaginal creams and intrauterine devices (IUDs).
MHT and premature or early menopause
Women who go through
premature or early menopause
will benefit from MHT.
Premature menopause is when you have your last period before the age of 40.
Early menopause is when your final period happens between the ages of 40 and 45.
Premature or early menopause results in reduced levels of oestrogen. This can increase the risk of long-term health conditions such as:
cardiovascular disease
osteoporosis
(a disease that makes your bones less dense and more fragile)
dementia
.
MHT should be taken until the expected age of menopause to reduce these risks.
MHT for menopausal symptoms
MHT is effective for relieving symptoms such as:
hot flushes
vaginal dryness
disturbed sleep with night sweats
joint pain
itchy skin.
It may also improve:
skin and hair health
headaches
aches and pains
irritability
sleeplessness
sex drive
balance
dizziness and vertigo
.
Added benefits of MHT
Depending on the dose and duration, MHT can reduce the risk of some chronic conditions that may affect postmenopausal women, including:
osteoporosis and
bone fractures
heart disease
endometrial cancer
bowel (colon) cancer
type 2 diabetes
cataracts
.
Side effects of MHT
Everyone reacts differently to MHT. Some people may not have any side effects. Others may experience symptoms such as:
nausea
fluid retention
sore breasts
vaginal bleeding (see your doctor if bleeding continues after 6 months of taking MHT).
Most symptoms settle within the first 3 months of taking MHT.
MHT-related health risks
MHT is an effective and safe treatment to relieve menopausal symptoms in healthy women. The data showed that MHT had low risks for women aged 50 to 60, or when used within 10 years of their final period.
Like all medications, there are some risks associated with MHT. These risks depend on:
when you start using MHT
how long you use MHT for
the type and dose of medicine
your medical history.
MHT is not recommended if you have had hormone-dependent cancer (e.g. breast cancer and some uterine cancers). Your doctor may also advise you not to use MHT if it could increase your health risks. For example, if you have undiagnosed vaginal bleeding or heart disease.
MHT and contraception
MHT is not a form of
contraception
. While your fertility declines as you get older, it’s still possible to get
pregnant
before your periods stop. You can’t get pregnant after menopause.
If you are younger than 50, you should use contraception for at least 2 years after your final period. If you are aged 50 and older, you should use contraception for at least one year after your final period.
Other treatments for menopausal symptoms
There are many other treatment options for women who can’t or don’t want to use MHT. These include:
non-hormonal prescription medications such as antidepressants, epilepsy medications and medications for high blood pressure (these have been shown to reduce hot flushes and sweating)
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
hypnotherapy
lifestyle changes (e.g.
exercise
,
healthy diet
and
weight loss
)
complementary medicine
and
therapies
, and over-the-counter products (although there isn’t enough evidence to prove they are effective).
When to see your doctor
See your doctor if:
your menopausal symptoms interfere with your daily life
your symptoms affect your sleep
you have strong emotions,
anxiety
or low mood.
More information
For more detailed information, related resources, articles and podcasts, visit
Jean Hailes for Women’s
Health
External Link
.
Where to get help
GP (doctor)
Gynaecologist
Jean Hailes for Women’s
Health
External Link