Ten Facts about Menopause & Body Identical HRT
Dr Louise Newson BSc(Hons) MBChB(Hons) MRCP FRCGP
- The benefits of HRT outweigh the risks for most women who start HRT aged < 60 years
- HRT is much safer than many people realise. NICE Guidance (2015) provides evidence and reassurance
- HRT should be recommended routinely to women who are menopausal aged < 45 years, even if they have no symptoms.
- Young women often need higher doses of oestrogen to improve symptoms
- There is no limit to length of time taking HRT
- Body identical HRT (same molecular structure as a woman’s hormones) is the safest way of a woman having HRT
- Oestrogen through the skin as a patch or gel is the safest way of having oestrogen and is body identical
- Micronised progesterone is body identical progesterone which is given as an oral capsule and is safer than older types of progestogens
- Testosterone is a female hormone that can improve libido, mood, energy and concentration
- Testosterone can be especially beneficial in young women and those women who have had a surgical menopause
Last updated: 2019
