Management and treatment of menopausal symptoms depend on each individual woman's experience.
Healthy living, herbal and complementary therapies (including herbs and phytoestrogens), menopausal hormone therapy, or MHT (formerly called hormone replacement therapy, or HRT), or some non-hormonal prescription medications may assist with symptoms. Pharmacy-compounded hormone therapy is also discussed.
Many women cope with mild menopausal symptoms and don't need to take any medication or use therapies. Some women manage their symptoms well with lifestyle measures such as eating well and getting regular physical activity. Other women with symptoms that are affecting their quality of life will need to seek treatment to help them manage their symptoms.
Menopause is a unique experience for all women and a range of management options is available for the different symptoms, including:
Some treatments are well supported by valid scientific research; others have less evidence to support their use. It is important to have accurate and reliable information before you start any treatment.
Healthy living
Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)
Managing vaginal problems
Non-hormonal prescription medications
Complementary therapies
Pharmacy-compounded hormones
Coping with menopausal symptoms can be helped by a balanced and nutritious diet, exercise and relaxation. Women who try to make their lifestyle as healthy as they can appear to have fewer menopausal symptoms, and those symptoms are less severe. Women who are overweight may have more hot flushes than women of a healthy weight.
Some studies have suggested that exercise can reduce hot flushes, but overall there is insufficient evidence to show this.
Food and drink
Reduce your intake of:
Eat foods with phytoestrogens, such as:
Phytoestrogen may mimic the action of human oestrogen in some women and may help.
Podcast: Jean Hailes naturopath Sandra Villella talks about menopause and nutrition. Listen now
Environment
Thinking about your environment and having practical strategies to help you cool down makes coping with hot flushes easier.
Helpful therapies
Supportive therapies but with limited research include:
There is no evidence of reduction in hot flushes with relaxation, meditation and paced respiration (deep, controlled breathing).
Relaxation techniques can reduce tension, anxiety and depression.
A healthy lifestyle during the menopause transition helps with maintaining a healthy weight and, bone and heart health, which are all important for preventing disease later in life. Once women reach menopause, their oestrogen levels drop and their risk for osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease (diseases of the heart and blood vessels, such as stroke) increases, so good nutrition is very important at this life stage.
As women age and move through menopause, the fat that used to sit around the hips moves up towards the waist area. Younger women tend to be shaped more like a pear, and older women like an apple. This shift in weight to the waist area increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, so it is important to try to minimise weight around the waist area.
Trying to minimise weight gain and stay a 'healthy' weight can be difficult, but there are techniques to help. For more information go to Healthy living.
Sleep problems can occur at midlife and during times of hormonal change like menopause. These include problems such as insomnia, where you find it difficult to go to sleep and stay asleep. Twice as many women experience insomnia compared with men.
Menopausal symptoms, particularly hot flushes and night sweats, can disturb sleep and set off insomnia. The night sweats might change your usual pattern of sleep and your body learns this new pattern, so the broken sleep pattern becomes the new norm.
Jean Hailes endocrinologist Dr Sonia Davison talks about menopause and sleep on this Sleep Talk podcast.
Women who smoke might reach menopause one to four years earlier than women who don't smoke. Women who smoke are also more likely to have menopausal hot flushes.
Giving up smoking is important because after menopause, women have an increased risk of osteoporosis, heart disease and lung cancer. These conditions all occur at higher rates in women who smoke.
The three hormones of particular relevance at menopause are oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Menopausal symptoms are created by changes in the levels of the oestrogen hormones. Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT), formerly known as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and hormone therapy (HT), is the medical replacement of the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone, and sometimes testosterone. MHT is a treatment used to help manage menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes and night sweats, when they are interfering with your life.
MHT can provide relief for many of the common symptoms of menopause, such as hot flushes, sweats, mood swings, irritability, insomnia, joint aches and vaginal dryness.
Oestrogen is the main hormone prescribed to relieve menopausal symptoms, and for women who have had a hysterectomy, this may be all they need.
In women who still have their uterus, oestrogen alone can overstimulate the cells lining the uterus, causing an increased risk of endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterus).
To remove the risk of overstimulation, women who have not had a hysterectomy need to take progesterone, or a synthetic form known as 'progestin', together with the oestrogen. 'Progestogens' is the name used to refer to both the natural form of progesterone and the synthetic form, 'progestin'.
Testosterone therapy may be a suitable treatment for postmenopausal women experiencing a loss of sexual desire causing them personal distress. This condition is known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).
Leading researcher and endocrinologist Professor Susan Davis presents the latest facts about testosterone therapy for treatment of low libido in this video (or listen to the podcast).
See more information about testosterone therapy for low sexual desire here.
Tibolone is a synthetic hormone and its actions are similar to oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
| Tibolone acts like | Details |
|---|---|
| Oestrogen | What it affects: brain, bones, vaginal tissue. Symptoms it assists in preventing: flushes, bone loss, dryness and soreness. |
| Progesterone | What it affects: womb/uterus Symptoms it assists in preventing: overgrowth of the endometrium and subsequent bleeding. |
| Testosterone | What it affects: brain, sexual function Symptoms it assists in preventing: lowered mood or libido, although women's responses vary. |
It can help to improve mood and sleep quality, decrease hot flushes and improve general wellbeing. Tibolone may also help sex drive by improving vaginal secretions, increasing free testosterone and elevating mood.
Tibolone is not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in women without breast cancer; however, the multinational study of women with menopausal symptoms and breast cancer showed that Tibolone increased the risk of recurrence compared to placebo.[1]
It should also be noted that Tibolone may interfere with the effectiveness of breast cancer therapies, so is therefore not recommended for women with breast cancer.[2]
This is a combination therapy of an oestrogen with a SERM (selective oestrogen receptive modulator). It blocks the oestrogen effect in the lining of the uterus, so no added progestogen is needed.
Because the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flushes and vaginal dryness, are related to low or fluctuating oestrogen, replacing oestrogen for a period of time helps to control these symptoms.
There are many ways to treat hot flushes and vaginal dryness, but no other treatment has been shown to be as effective as oestrogen replacement therapy.[3]
Current guidelines recommend women who take MHT for menopausal symptoms take the lowest effective dose to alleviate symptoms for as long as is needed. For the treatment of symptoms, women can stay on MHT for as long as is required to relieve their symptoms. Current thinking is that the benefits of MHT far outweigh the risks in healthy women within 10 years of the menopause or between 50 and 60 years of age. MHT does not need to be discontinued after five years because:
Every year, it is important to have a discussion with your doctor about management of your menopausal symptoms. Some women can take MHT safely for many years, but this must be assessed on an individual basis and be supported with annual reviews by your doctor.
In women with premature menopause, MHT is prescribed in high doses and recommended to continue until the age of expected menopause, about 50-52 years.
| Pills |
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| Patches |
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| Gel |
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| Vaginal creams, pessaries and tablets |
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| Implants (no TGA approved implant is currently available in Australia) | Implants are:
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| Intrauterine device (IUD) | A progestogen may be prescribed as an IUD, usually initiated in the perimenopause |
Dosages and methods of administration vary according to each woman's needs and responses to MHT. Changes may be needed before a satisfactory method and dose is found for each woman, and such changes should be made under the close supervision of your doctor. It can sometimes take up to six months to find the right combination.
As a general rule when using MHT in midlife:
Many studies have investigated whether MHT increases the risk of cancers, further illness and disease. There have been many reports in the media about the risks of MHT.
In 2002, researchers from a large study in the United States (the Women's Health Initiative trial, or WHI) reported that the risks of MHT outweighed the benefits of taking it. This caused an 80% drop in the use of MHT in the United States, and 50% of women in Australia stopped using their MHT. Professor Henry Burger, a founding director of Jean Hailes, says, "At least half of those women saw their symptoms return and that meant their quality of life significantly suffered", and "I think that was one of the worst consequences – the decreased quality of life and feeling that you couldn't do anything about it".
However, a recent comprehensive review of evidence on MHT has found MHT is an effective and safe treatment for the relief of menopausal symptoms for healthy women. The data from this study has shown that in women between 50 and 60 years, the risks of MHT are low.
Jean Hailes endocrinologist Dr Rosie Worsley talks about menopause, including the benefits and risks of MHT.
The following table lists the benefits and risks of MHT along with conditions that still need further understanding in healthy women between 50 and 60 years, or within 10 years of the menopause. The risks of MHT depend on the type, dose, duration and route of administration or regimen.
Symptom relief for:
Decreased risk of:
Other benefits include improvement in:
Breast cancer – 1 extra case per 1000 women treated using MHT per year
Thrombosis – a low increased risk with oral therapy, especially in the first year of use; less risk with transdermal therapies
Stroke – a rare risk
Gallstones – increased risk with oral oestrogen and combination MHT
Endometrial cancer – if oestrogen alone is given when a woman has her uterus (should have a progestogen)
Ovarian cancer – association unsure, but a very rare risk in long-term users
Lung cancer – no risk increase
If you are a smoker, have diabetes, high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol, there is a small but increased risk of thrombosis in taking MHT.
You may or may not have any of these side effects when you take MHT.
| Nausea, Fluid retention, Feeling bloated, Breast enlargement and discomfort | These symptoms may be experienced when you first start taking MHT and become less with time – if they interfere with your daily life, discuss the symptom with your doctor. |
| Breakthrough bleeding |
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| Weight gain |
|
For otherwise healthy women, taking MHT for 2-5 years to relieve menopausal symptoms causes little if any increase in breast cancer risk.
If you are not taking MHT during menopause
3 in 1000 chance
If you take MHT for five years during postmenopause
4 in 1000
The following factors put you at a higher risk of developing breast cancer than taking MHT:
This risk should also be seen within the context of the benefits of MHT; taking MHT can significantly improve a woman's quality of life and reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis, diabetes, colon cancer and possibly heart disease.
Research and best-practice guidelines suggest that menopausal women review their reasons to continue MHT (or not) with their doctor once per year, or more regularly if they have any concerns.
For otherwise healthy women younger than 60, taking MHT for the symptoms of menopause, there is no evidence of increased lung cancer risk, or of increased death from lung cancer. For women older than 60, the increased risk of lung cancer is very small.
Chance of developing lung cancer
3 in 10,000 increased risk
Chance of dying from lung cancer
5 in 10,000 increased risk
The following factors put you at a higher risk of developing lung cancer than taking MHT:
Older women who are heavy smokers should not use MHT.
Cardiovascular disease (disease of the heart and blood vessels) is the leading cause of death in postmenopausal women. Women aged 50-59 years are generally either perimenopausal or postmenopausal. Cardiovascular disease is uncommon in this age group, but the incidence increases rapidly after 60 years of age.
MHT and cardiovascular health
MHT in tablet form:
The standard dose of MHT, usually started around the time of menopause, causes no significant increase in cardiovascular disease and may be cardio-protective.
MHT and cardiovascular risk
MHT can increase the risk of blood clots forming when blood-vessel plaques (clogged arteries) rupture.
MHT should be avoided in women who have established cardiovascular disease.
Increased risk if women commence MHT after 60 years of age.
The loss of oestrogen at menopause causes changes in the tissues of the vulva, vagina and bladder. Refer to 'Bladder health' and/or 'Vaginal & vulval problems'.
Some of the ways you can manage these symptoms are outlined below, but it is important to discuss with your doctor what is the most suitable option for you.
| Lubricants or oil | Olive oil, sweet almond oil, Pjur, Astroglide and YES |
| Vaginal moisturisers | Replens and YES |
| Black cohosh | Topically (as a cream or pessary/pellet), black cohosh has been shown to be effective for vaginal dryness, but more research is still needed on its effectiveness. |
| Linseed (flaxseed) | About 2 tablespoons included in your daily diet has been shown to reduce vaginal dryness. |
| Vaginal oestrogen |
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| Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) |
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| Vaginal laser therapy |
|
Some women are not able to use hormone-based treatments for menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes and sweats. (See 'Contraindications to taking MHT' above.)
Other women just prefer not to take MHT and want to look for other treatment options. Some of these non-hormonal prescription medications are outlined below and are used 'off label' (which means they are being used not for the approved indication).
Studies have shown a reduction in flushing and sweating within four weeks of taking the recommended dose.
A group of antidepressants called SSRIs/SNRIs (selective serotonin or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors – for example, venlafaxine, paroxetine, escitalopram and fluoxetine) have been studied and found to relieve hot flushes. If these medications are going to be effective in reducing hot flushes, they will do so quite quickly. Like all medications, these can have side effects, some examples being nausea, dry mouth and/or insomnia. Paradoxically, sometimes these medications can cause sweats. In breast cancer survivors on tamoxifen, paroxetine and fluoxetine should not be taken as they can reduce the effectiveness of the tamoxifen.
Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant and chronic pain medication and has been shown to diminish hot flushes. Side effects may include a rash, dizziness and sleepiness, so it should be taken mainly at night.
Clonidine is a medication for high blood pressure and migraine that has been shown to reduce hot flushes. Side effects may include dry mouth, dizziness and drowsiness.
Many women are keen to explore non-medical options to manage their menopausal symptoms. There is increasing evidence looking at the effectiveness of many of these treatments, but very few studies meet the gold standard of research. Some of these treatments are traditional remedies that have been used for many years, but may not have scientific research to support their use. More research on the effectiveness and safety of herbal therapies for menopause is needed.
To make an informed choice about a treatment for menopausal symptoms, it is important to do some reading, from reputable sources of information, about treatments you are considering. Some promoted remedies can be expensive and unproven. Jean Hailes aims to provide the best available information based on current evidence.
It is also important to see a qualified practitioner for advice, and to give all the health professionals you are seeing information about any medications or treatments you are taking or receiving, as there can be interactions.
Herbal remedies, such as black cohosh and red clover, may be considered as an option for some women in the management of menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal changes. Some herbs, such as St John's wort, may help to manage mood changes, such as anxious thoughts and depressed feelings. Other herbs may help with fatigue, low energy or sleep disturbance.
For more information go to Menopause & herbs.
Phytoestrogens (plant oestrogens) are compounds that occur naturally in plants and that, under certain circumstances, show some of the same activities as the female hormone oestrogen.
Phytoestrogens are much weaker than human oestrogen, and their effects are different from the hormones found in menopausal hormone therapy (MHT).
About one in three women may benefit from a phytoestrogen-rich diet to reduce menopausal symptoms, as these women have the particular bacteria in the gut that helps to convert the phytoestrogens in soy to a more potent form. Read more about phytoestrogens and why they can be beneficial for some women going through menopause.
Research has considered management of menopausal symptoms with other therapies such as:
There are many complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) products that contain various formulations of herbs and/or nutrients that are available over the counter for management of menopausal symptoms. The quality of herbs used in these products, including those bought over the internet, can vary.
The best way to use herbal remedies for the treatment of menopausal symptoms is under the guidance of a health practitioner trained in their use.
Pharmacy-compounded hormones (sometimes referred to as bioidentical hormones) are mixtures of hormones made in compounding pharmacies that are promoted as hormones 'exactly like our own' hormones. They can contain oestrogens, progesterone and sometimes other hormones such as testosterone.
The hormones are made into capsules, creams, gels, drops applied to the tongue, lozenges or troches (soft square-shaped tablets) sucked in the cheek.
These hormone products are often marketed using the term 'natural', but all hormone therapies are manufactured synthetically in a process similar to the manufacture of the oral contraceptive pill. It is misleading to suggest these preparations have advantages over pharmaceutical oestrogen therapies approved by the TGA (the Therapeutic Goods Administration).
While some women report their menopausal symptoms improve using compounded hormones, this can come at a cost. Not only is this an expensive way to get hormone therapy, but there are real concerns over the safety and effectiveness of compounded hormones. Currently, there are no controls and regulations on their production, prescribing or dosing.
There are questions about the safety and effectiveness of pharmacy-compounded hormones:
Further research and regulation of pharmacy-compounded hormones is needed before they can be recommended for use with menopausal symptoms. It is important when seeking any medical treatment that you consult a health practitioner face-to-face, rather than over the phone. Receiving advice or a prescription for medication without the proper advice is not advised.
Women seeking compounded hormone therapy should know that the majority of pharmaceutically produced MHT products in Australia contain oestradiol, identical to the main oestrogen the body makes before menopause, hence, by definition, it is 'bioidentical'. There is also a progestogen now available in Australia called 'micronised progesterone'. This hormone is identical to the progesterone made by the body before menopause, so there is an option to use 'bioidentical' hormone therapy containing oestradiol and progesterone that has been thoroughly tested for safety and effectiveness in women around menopause.
Jean Hailes MHT position statement
This web page is designed to be informative and educational. It is not intended to provide specific medical advice or replace advice from your health practitioner. The information above is based on current medical knowledge, evidence and practice as at December 2017.
