What treatment for menopause is available on prescription?

Prescription treatments for menopause commonly include hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which can be taken as tablets, skin patches, gels, sprays, vaginal creams, pessaries, or rings, depending on your symptoms and health needs.

HRT is a prescription treatment that replaces estrogen, and sometimes progesterone, to help relieve menopause symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes, and vaginal dryness.

Yes, most forms of HRT require a prescription from a doctor, nurse prescriber, or other qualified prescriber after a review of your symptoms and medical history.

Common types include estrogen-only HRT and combined HRT, which contains both estrogen and progestogen. The right type depends on whether you still have a uterus.

Estrogen-only HRT is usually prescribed for people who have had a hysterectomy and do not have a womb, because progesterone is not needed to protect the uterine lining.

Progestogen is added to HRT if you still have a womb to reduce the risk of thickening of the uterine lining and lower the risk of endometrial cancer.

Yes, some non-hormonal prescription medicines may help with menopause symptoms, including certain antidepressants, clonidine, and newer medicines used for hot flushes in some regions.

Yes, HRT is often the most effective treatment for hot flushes, but some non-hormonal prescription medicines can also reduce their frequency and severity.

Yes, vaginal estrogen products prescribed as creams, tablets, pessaries, or rings can help relieve vaginal dryness, discomfort, and pain during sex.

Vaginal estrogen is a type of local hormone treatment. It is used mainly for vaginal and urinary symptoms and usually has a lower systemic effect than full-body HRT.

Yes, treating hot flushes and night sweats with HRT can improve sleep, and in some cases a doctor may recommend a non-hormonal medicine or other support if sleep remains a problem.

It may help if mood changes are linked to hot flushes, poor sleep, or hormonal symptoms. However, if low mood or anxiety is significant, a doctor may suggest additional treatment.

Yes, people who experience early menopause are often prescribed HRT unless there is a reason not to, usually until around the age of the natural menopause to help protect bone and heart health.

Yes, if HRT is not suitable, a clinician may prescribe non-hormonal medicines for hot flushes or recommend other treatments depending on your symptoms and medical history.

In some cases, testosterone may be prescribed for women with low sexual desire after menopause, usually when other causes have been considered and standard treatments have not helped.

They consider your age, symptoms, whether you have a womb, your medical history, personal preferences, and any risk factors such as breast cancer, blood clots, or migraines.

The length of treatment varies. HRT is often reviewed regularly, and many people use it for several years if benefits outweigh risks and symptoms continue.

Yes, your prescriber can change the dose, formulation, or type of treatment if symptoms are not well controlled or if side effects occur.

Yes, possible side effects depend on the treatment. HRT can sometimes cause breast tenderness, spotting, bloating, or headaches, while non-hormonal medicines can also have their own side effects.

Yes, it is important to speak to a doctor or other qualified prescriber so they can confirm that the treatment is appropriate and safe for you.