Menopause related symptoms
Hot flushes, sleep disruption, mood change, pain and brain fog around menopause.
About this condition
Perimenopause and menopause bring falling and fluctuating oestrogen levels, and with them hot flushes, night sweats, broken sleep, low mood, anxiety, joint and muscle pain, vaginal dryness and problems with memory and concentration. Symptoms often begin years before periods stop and can continue well afterwards.
Hormone replacement therapy is the most effective treatment for most symptoms and is recommended for the majority of women, with individual assessment of risks and benefits. Non hormonal options exist where HRT is unsuitable. A specialist assessment reviews what has been tried, including whether HRT has been offered at all, since it frequently has not.
Treatments people usually try first
These are the treatments commonly offered in the UK for this condition. A specialist doctor will want to know which of them you have tried, and what happened.
- Hormone replacement therapy, oestrogen with progestogen where needed
- Vaginal oestrogen for local symptoms
- Testosterone under specialist supervision where indicated
- Non hormonal medicines for hot flushes where HRT is unsuitable
- Cognitive behavioural therapy for hot flushes, sleep and mood
- Referral to a specialist menopause clinic
Could medical cannabis be appropriate?
People with this condition sometimes ask whether medical cannabis could be appropriate for them. That is a question for a specialist doctor, who will look at your diagnosis, your history and everything you have already tried before saying anything either way.
Medical cannabis is an unlicensed prescription only medicine in the UK. It is considered only where a diagnosed condition has not responded adequately to conventional treatment, and it is never a first step. We cannot tell you in advance what might be prescribed, and UK law does not allow us to describe or advertise any medicine on this website.
What we can do is assess you properly and be honest with you. If a specialist doctor does not think this route is right for you, they will say so, and they will explain why.
All treatment is subject to clinical assessment and eligibility.
Questions about menopause related symptoms
Women's health
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