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Treatment For The Menopause
Some women will have no problems at the time of the menopause, and they do not need any treatment. For those who do have symptoms (such as hot flushes, night sweats etc) at this time of change, treatment is only necessary if the symptoms are causing them problems.
As the symptoms of the menopause are due to a lack of oestrogen hormone in a woman's body, the logical treatment is to replace this hormone (Hormone Replacement Therapy - HRT). This is the same principle of treatment as used for women with other hormone deficiency diseases such as an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or diabetes due to lack of insulin (diabetes mellitus). With these diseases, replacing the hormone helps cure the medical condition. However, where HRT differs is that not everyone needs to have treatment, only those who are getting troublesome symptoms.
HRT may not be suitable treatment for all women. For those women advised not to take HRT or for those who choose not use hormone treatment, many alternatives are available.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) means taking treatment with the hormone oestrogen alone, or a combination of oestrogen and progestogen. The aim of treatment is to increase the amount of oestrogen in the body until it reaches a level where the symptoms resolve. This level may need to be as high as the levels found in a woman before the menopause, but usually a lower level is needed.
The progestogen is needed to protect the lining of the womb (endometrium) against the stimulation of the oestrogen. This is very similar to what happens in the normal menstrual cycle of a woman having periods before the menopause. Thus, for women who have had a hysterectomy and have had their womb (uterus) removed, they will only need oestrogen (oestrogen only HRT). Women who still have their womb will need a combination of oestrogen and progestogen hormones (combined HRT).
