Menopausal
Hormone Therapy
If menopausal symptoms are affecting your Is MHT safe?
quality of life, it’s important to get help.
Research shows MHT is a safe and effective
Symptoms may include hot flushes, night
treatment for menopausal symptoms for
sweats, aches and pains, vaginal dryness
healthy women. MHT has low risks for women
and mood changes. There are many ways
aged between 50 and 60, or when used within
to manage your symptoms, but no other
10 years of their final period.
treatment has been shown to be as effective
as menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). There may be some risks associated with
MHT, depending on your individual situation.
What is MHT and how For example, your age, medical history, family
history, when you start the medicine, how long
does it help?
you use it, and the type and dose of
MHT is the replacement of female hormones
medicine taken.
oestrogen and progesterone, and sometimes
testosterone. This hormone therapy must The risk of blood clots, stroke or breast cancer
be prescribed by your doctor. MHT helps to due to taking MHT is small but may increase if
reduce menopausal symptoms that are caused you have other risk factors, such as smoking
by lower levels of oestrogen hormones before or being overweight.
and after menopause. MHT may also help
reduce health risks such as osteoporosis and
Possible side effects
Everyone responds differently to MHT. Some
heart disease.
women may not experience any side effects,
while others might have symptoms such as
nausea, fluid retention, vaginal bleeding or
sore breasts. Most symptoms settle within the
first three months.
[Link]
Who should not use MHT? How do you take MHT?
It’s recommended you do not start MHT MHT can be taken in various doses and
if you are older than 60 or if you’ve been forms, including pills, patches, gels, vaginal
postmenopausal for 10 years or more. pessaries, creams and tablets. If your only
MHT is not recommended if you have had symptom is vaginal dryness or pain during sex,
hormone-dependent cancer. Your doctor may you can try vaginal oestrogen cream.
also advise you not to use MHT if it could
increase your health risks. For example, if you How long do you need to
have undiagnosed vaginal bleeding or take MHT?
heart disease.
Once you’ve found the right type and dose of
MHT, you can take it for as long as you need.
Types of MHT Many women have symptoms for about eight
Oestrogen and progesterone years and one in four women have symptoms
Oestrogen is the main hormone prescribed to into their 60s and 70s.
relieve menopausal symptoms. If you’ve had a
hysterectomy, oestrogen may be all you need.
If you haven’t had a hysterectomy, oestrogen When to see your doctor
and progesterone are used together, as Talk to your doctor about therapy options
progesterone reduces the risk of endometrial and risks. It’s important to see your doctor
cancer (cancer of the uterus). for a review each year.
Tibolone For more information, resources and
Tibolone is a synthetic hormone that has references, visit [Link]/health-
oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone a-z/menopause
effects. Some women find Tibolone helps with
menopausal symptoms and mood. It may also
help with sexual desire (libido).
Testosterone
Testosterone therapy is only recommended for
postmenopausal women who are distressed
by their loss of sexual desire. This condition is
known as hypoactive sexual desire
disorder (HSDD).
Updated May 2023
Disclaimer: This information does not replace
medical advice. If you are worried about your
Phone 03 9453 8999 health, talk to your doctor or healthcare team.
[Link] We write health information for people with diverse
backgrounds, experiences and identities. We use
the term ‘women’, but we acknowledge that this
Jean Hailes for Women’s Health term is not inclusive of all people who may use
our content.
gratefully acknowledges the support
of the Australian Government. © Jean Hailes for Women’s Health 2023