HRT or hormone replacement therapy is a well-known prescription for managing perimenopause and menopause symptoms. Not all HRT is the same, some contain different hormones – oestrogen, progestogen or both (a specialist doctor may also sometimes prescribe testosterone). It can be taken or used in different ways – tablets, patches, gel, spray or vaginal rings, pessaries or cream.
Why do people get symptoms in the first place?
As women age, their reproductive organs begin to produce less sex hormones including oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone; each have their part to play in reproduction and fertility. Hormones like oestrogen can also increase blood flow, helping with energy metabolism, and improving brain connectivity. So, when oestrogen decreases through menopause, we might begin to experience forgetfulness, brain fog and struggle with energy balance. Oestrogen helps the skin to remain plump, and as you might have read in the osteoporosis article, oestrogen helps protect bone mass.
Symptoms are different for every person
It is important to know that symptoms can be exacerbated by poor diet and lifestyle choices, and therefore in many cases, can also be helped by better diet and lifestyle choices. Toxins from processed foods, alcohol or smoking, along with over exposure to certain products on your body or household cleaning products, can all be impacting on your symptoms.
If you are unsure whether you want to use HRT, perhaps first consider working with a health specialist on how to make diet and lifestyle changes to improve hormone health.
HRT is very personal choice and whether you should use it or not will depend entirely on if it works for you. The important thing is to speak to your GP and other clinical professionals about the risks and how to use it. It is also important to communicate with your healthcare professional, if when you start taking it things don’t feel right, as you may need to adjust the dose or brand.
From April 2023, the government released The HRT Prescription Prepayment Certificate. If you pay for NHS prescribed HRT medicine 3 or more times in 12 months, an HRT PPC could save you money. More on how to apply for this certificate.
