Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Medication for Menopause

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Medication for Menopause

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is used to replenish a woman’s hormones that begin to drop as she approaches the menopause, effectively relieving its symptoms. Menopausal symptoms include hot flashes, mood swings, low sex drive and more.

With our wide range of effectual treatments, you’ll find the HRT medication that’s best suited to you as you reach this pivotal point in your female life.

Are you unsure if HRT is right for you? Take our Do I Need HRT Quiz!

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A woman’s reproductive system only continues to work optimally for a certain number of years, usually beginning in your early teens and stopping towards the end of your forties. This means that at the end of this time, your body will no longer produce or release an egg, and you will no longer experience periods.

This, of course, can be a good thing (especially for women who have always experienced particularly heavy or painful periods) but in its place, you will experience a number of symptoms for roughly 4 years. These symptoms typically include mood fluctuations, struggles sleeping, hot flashes (of the face and neck), and a decreased libido.

Contrary to popular belief, the menopause is not the same for all women and some people don’t find that it causes them any trouble at all. However, a lot of women choose to alleviate symptoms with HRT medication.

HRT

Hormone Replacement Therapy (also known as HRT) is used by women as they begin to show signs of the menopause. This happens to women at various ages, and treatment can be started as soon as you begin to show symptoms.

The medication contains the female hormones, oestrogen and progestogen. Oestrogen is responsible for many functions in a woman’s body, as well as a number of characteristics. When these levels start to fall, you begin to experience menopause symptoms, so topping these levels up with HRT medication helps to ward them off. A drop in oestrogen can also lead to osteoporosis (a bone mass deficiency), so it’s important to keep these hormone levels high to protect bone health.

All HRT medications contain oestrogen (for the reasons stated above), but most of them also contain progestogen. This hormone is responsible for maintaining womb health and keeping certain cancers at bay. So although the drop doesn’t cause the menopause symptoms, it’s important to keep these levels healthy too. However, women without a womb (due to hysterectomy, for example) might opt for an oestrogen-only HRT medication.

HRT Treatment / Hormone Replacement Therapy Medication

Most women will use Hormone Replacement Therapy for anywhere from 2 to 5 years, and then slowly decrease the dose once it’s time to stop taking it. During treatment, the medication is taken daily, or worn weekly (if you go for the hormone patch option), and there are a number of different types of HRT available, for which you can choose which is best suited to you. This can be ordered safely from UK Meds with the help of our trustworthy doctor’s service,

Even though the medicine contains female hormones, it’s important to note that it’s not a contraceptive and if you are still having menstrual cycles then you could still get pregnant while taking it. Taking HRT can also carry risks of certain types of cancer, as well as blood clots, so it’s important that use is not long-term (unless advised by a doctor) and any symptoms are checked and reported.

Menopause FAQs

What Are the Psychological Effects of Menopause?

Menopause can significantly affect a woman’s mental health due to changes in hormone levels. Common psychological symptoms include stress, anxiety, low mood and depression. These effects are supported by research showing that menopause can impact quality of life through emotional and cognitive challenges (Whiteley et al., 2022; Harvard Medical School, 2020).

In addition to physical symptoms like night sweats and hot flushes, many women report mood disorders, sexual concerns and difficulties with concentration or memory during this stage of life (Samami et al., 2022; Dalal & Agarwal, 2015).

These mental health changes are thought to result from fluctuating levels of oestrogen and other hormones, making emotional support and medical guidance important for managing symptoms.

Is There a Lack of Menopause Coverage in Mainstream Media?

Despite menopause being a natural stage of life affecting around half the population, it remains underrepresented in both healthcare systems and mainstream media. A 2022 report by The Lancet found that many women lack access to adequate medical care and education about menopause, partly due to limited early education and often negative or absent media narratives. This lack of awareness can leave women unprepared and unsupported during perimenopause and beyond (Harper et al., 2022).

Does This Lack of Coverage Affect Women's Access to Support?

Yes. Many women experience menopause symptoms in silence due to embarrassment, stigma, and a lack of public discourse. This can prevent them from seeking the support or treatment they need. Miscommunication around hormone replacement therapy (HRT) also plays a role, with past media reports exaggerating risks and influencing public perception — despite newer studies showing benefits of HRT for cardiovascular health and overall mortality when used appropriately (Constantine et al., 2016; Cagnacci & Venier, 2019).

To improve access, the UK Government launched a 2023 initiative to reduce the cost of HRT and expand support, aiming to make menopause care more affordable and accessible across the country.

Can Increased Coverage Help Reduce the Stigma Around Menopause?

Greater visibility in the media can play a powerful role in breaking the stigma surrounding menopause. A UK Parliamentary Committee survey found that one in three women had missed work due to menopause symptoms, yet many felt unable to talk openly about it. Raising awareness through balanced, accurate media coverage can normalise conversations around menopause and empower women to seek help without shame (Institute for Government & Public Policy, 2023).

While visibility has improved in recent years — particularly since 2021 — much of the coverage has come from a narrow range of media outlets (Orgad & Rottenberg, 2023). More inclusive and positive storytelling can help to shift the narrative further and support more meaningful change (Rowson et al., 2023).

Is Acne a Symptom of Menopause?

Although hot flushes and mood swings are more commonly associated with menopause, acne is another symptom that can affect some women during this time. Hormonal fluctuations, particularly declining oestrogen and shifting androgen levels, can trigger breakouts similar to those experienced during puberty.

Understanding how menopause affects your skin can help you manage symptoms more effectively. Learn more about the connection between menopause and acne.

Author

Content author

Scott Weaver

Medical Content Writer • Bachelor of Arts Degree

Scott is an experienced, skilled medical content writer dedicated to creating helpful and accessible health and wellbeing content for UK Meds.

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Medical Reviewer

Medical Reviewer

Alexis Missick

General Practitioner (GP) • MBChB

With over a decade of experience in the NHS and six years internationally, Alexis is a seasoned General Practitioner hailing from Turks and Caicos.

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