Treatment Options

Menopause treatment options are changing. From hormone therapy to hormone-free treatments, there are now a range of approaches available to help you find relief. So you shouldn’t have to settle for one that doesn’t suit your needs and preferences.

And while you may have already tried lifestyle changes or alternative therapies, there are more treatment options than you might think.

YOUR OPTIONS

It’s important to understand your options, so that together you and your healthcare provider can find a choice that works for you.

HORMONE

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)

Oestrogen-only MHT
Combined oestrogen and progesterone
Low-dose vaginal oestrogen
Androgen replacement

These options replenish declining hormone levels to help manage symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal discomfort and joint pain.

Speed of relief

: Slow (up to 3 months)
How to get the benefits
: Most often taken as a pill or through your skin as a cream, spray, patch or gel

MENOPAUSAL HORMONE THERAPY (MHT)

NON-HORMONAL

Hormone-free NKTs

Neurokinin-targeted therapies, known as NKTs, may be prescribed to manage symptoms such as hot flashes and sleep disturbances.

Speed of relief

: Quick (days to weeks)
How to get the benefits
: Taken as a pill

HORMONE-FREE NKTS

NON-HORMONAL

Other prescription treatments

Antidepressants (SSRIs and SNRIs)
Anticonvulsants
Antihypertensives

Speed of relief

: Slow (weeks to months)
How to get the benefits
: Taken as a pill

OTHER PRESCRIPTION TREATMENTS

NON-HORMONAL

Lifestyle and alternative therapies

Lifestyle interventions (e.g., weight reduction, avoidance of triggers)
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Mind-body techniques (mindfulness-based stress management, hypnosis)
Isoflavones (phytoestrogens)
Herbal medicine (e.g., black cohosh)
Acupuncture

Speed of relief

: Slow (weeks to months)
How to get the benefits
: Various methods including pills, teas, seeing a therapist or physical changes

LIFESTYLE AND ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

Riferimenti

1
NHS HRT: Oestrogen tablets, patches, gels and spray. Available at:https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/oestrogen-tablets-patches-gel-and-spray/about-oestrogen-tablets-patches-gel-and-spray.
2
Pinkerton JV, Simon JA, Joffe H, Maki PM, Nappi RE, Panay N, Soares CN, Thurston RC, Caetano C, Haberland C, Haseli-Mashhadi N, Krahn U, Mellinger U, Parke S, Seitz C, Zuurman L. Elinzanetant for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause: OASIS 1 and 2 randomized clinical trials. JAMA. 2024 Aug 22;332(8):1343–54.
3
Wright VJ, Schwartzman JD, Itinoche R, Wittstein J. The musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause. Climacteric. 2024;27(5):466–72.
4
Veoza (fezolinetant) 45 mg film-coated tablets. Summary of Product Characteristics. Feb 2025.
5
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Alternatives to HRT for the management of symptoms of the menopause. Scientific Impact Paper No. 6. London: RCOG; 2010 Sep. Available at: https://www.rcog.org.uk/guidance/browse-all-guidance/scientific-impact-papers/alternatives-to-hrt-for-the-management-of-symptoms-of-the-menopause-scientific-impact-paper-no-6/.
6
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Menopause. Clinical Knowledge Summary [Internet]. London: NICE; 2022 Sep [cited 2025 Apr 14]. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/menopause/.