Is hormone treatment indicated during menopause?

Hormone therapy during menopause is only useful for relieving symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings and sleep disturbances. Hormone treatment is only indicated for severe symptoms.

For women with severe hot flashes, night sweats, and other symptoms, hormone therapy can be effective in improving daily life. Topical hormone treatments such as estrogen creams can help reduce vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse.

Hormone therapy is not right for every woman. Some risks to consider include breast cancer and heart disease. Long-term use of certain hormones can increase the risk of breast cancer. Hormone therapy can increase the risk of stroke, blood clots, or heart disease in some women, especially if treatment is started later in menopause.

Hormone therapy can be helpful in treating severe menopausal symptoms, but the decision to start this therapy should be carefully weighed. It is important to discuss with a doctor whether the benefits outweigh the risks, depending on your personal health status and preferences.

Source: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/resources/menopause-diagnosis-and-management-pdf-1837330217413

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-08-27 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024