Alternatives to HRT
What options are there for women who can’t take hormone therapy?
Who might need an alternative approach?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the most effective treatment for many symptoms of menopause because it replaces the hormones the ovaries would normally produce.
For women who experience surgical menopause at a younger age, HRT is often recommended until around the average age of natural menopause unless there is a medical reason not to use it.
However, some women cannot take hormone therapy, or may decide not to use it. In these situations, non-hormonal treatments may help manage certain symptoms, particularly hot flushes and night sweats.
Most alternatives to HRT treat individual symptoms rather than replacing the hormones lost during menopause, so their role is different.
A note on eligibility:
Whether HRT is suitable depends on an individual’s medical history. Certain conditions may mean hormone therapy is not recommended, or that it should only be prescribed after specialist advice. These can include hormone-dependent cancers, active liver disease, unexplained vaginal bleeding, or certain cardiovascular risks.
However, menopause care is evolving. Some women with a history of breast cancer or other hormone-dependent cancers may still be able to use certain forms of hormone therapy after careful discussion with their oncology and menopause specialists.
If you have been told HRT is not an option, it is reasonable to ask for a menopause specialist review to make sure you have the full picture.