Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) at Plymouth Hospital

Menopause happens when a woman’s menstruation reduces and stops. It is sometimes called "the change" and you may find you view it with mixed feelings as you recognise a different stage in your life.

Hormonal changes cause you to stop having periods. The amount of the hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) your ovaries produce at this time drops significantly. In the run-up to the menopause periods become very erratic and sometimes heavy. Your periods will usually not stop suddenly, but become less frequent and then stop gradually. The menopause sometimes aggravates osteoporosis – bone mass is lost because of the reduced levels of some hormones. Menopausal women often experience:

• Tiredness
• Hot flushes
• Night sweats and sleeplessness
• Vaginal dryness
• Urinary tract infection
• Headache and joint pain
• Depression
• Reduced sex drive
  

How we can help you get through the menopause

We offer treatment to make the menopause easier. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) replaces your lost hormones to counteract the effects of the menopause. Your consultant can recommend the right type of HRT for you.

The most common way to have HRT is by a daily tablet, but there are other ways:

• A skin patch applied to the skin
• A small pellet under the skin
• Gel medication applied to the skin

Benefits of HRT:

• Relief from hot flushes and night sweats
• Maintenance of muscles tone, helping reduce any incontinence problems
• Reduced mood swings
• Reduced risk of osteoporosis – oestrogen in the HRT stimulates bone building.