Easy HRT prescribing guide

The menopause is a normal life event for women - it is not an illness or a medical condition. As the life expectancy of women has increased over the past century, this means that on average, women spend nearly one-third of their lives being postmenopausal.

Many women suffer in silence and do not realise how effective hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be at dramatically improving not only their symptoms but also their quality of life.

It is estimated that around 75% of menopausal women experience symptoms and around 25% of women experience severe symptoms that are having a negative effect on their lives, often affecting their family and work lives.

The vasomotor symptoms of the menopause are the ones that are most obvious when thinking about the menopause, but these are not the symptoms that affect women the most. It is the symptoms of low mood, anxiety, reduced self-esteem, poor memory and concentration, reduced libido and vaginal dryness that affect them the most.

Managing women with symptoms of the menopause is a very rewarding aspect of clinical practice. There are now excellent guidelines available, both national and international, for healthcare professionals on the management of the menopause.

However, these guidelines have not been read by many healthcare professionals which means that many women are being denied evidence-based treatment. All the guidelines support the notion that for the majority of women starting HRT when they are under 60 years old, the benefits of taking HRT usually outweigh any risks.

Access the easy HRT prescribing guide here to read more, and perhaps take with you next time you are visiting your doctor to discuss what HRT options are available to you.

For more resources on perimenopause and menopause including information on all of your treatment options head to our resources hub.