Menopause symptoms can often be managed through a combination of lifestyle changes and non-prescription strategies. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, stress-management techniques, and good sleep habits can improve mood, energy levels, and sleep quality. Many women also benefit from maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, and avoiding triggers like heat or spicy foods that can worsen hot flushes.
For those with moderate to severe symptoms, Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) is the most effective treatment. MHT replaces declining oestrogen (often paired with progesterone for women with a uterus) and can significantly reduce hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and sleep disturbance. It is available in various forms, including tablets, patches, gels,, allowing treatment to be tailored to individual needs and medical history.
Non-hormonal medications are also available for women who cannot or prefer not to take hormones. Options may include certain antidepressants, which can reduce hot flushes and help with mood symptoms, as well as medications like gabapentin or oxybutynin for specific symptom relief. Vaginal hormonal preparations, used locally rather than systemically, are highly effective for vaginal dryness and discomfort, and can be safely used by most women.
Together, these options allow treatment plans to be personalised to provide effective and comfortable symptom control.
