Reproductive health

Medicines for Menopause

The natural stage when periods stop as oestrogen levels fall, often bringing symptoms such as hot flushes and mood changes — managed with hormone replacement therapy, non-hormonal options and lifestyle support.

Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.

Written by Meds Global Health Clinical Team · Clinically reviewed by Dr Muhammad Suffyan, MB BS, Founder & Clinical Director · Last reviewed · How we review

Quick answer

What is Menopause?

The menopause is the point when periods stop permanently because the ovaries make much less oestrogen; it is a natural life stage, usually around the early fifties, and is diagnosed in most women from the pattern of symptoms and periods rather than a blood test. The years of changing hormones leading up to it — the perimenopause — are when many symptoms are at their strongest.

  • How it is treated: Care begins with information and an individual discussion of what is troubling the person most and what they want from treatment.
  • Self-care: Regular activity, a healthy weight, good sleep habits, limiting alcohol and caffeine, stopping smoking, keeping cool (light layers, a fan) and looking after bone and heart health all help to ease symptoms and support wellbeing through and after the menopause.
  • When to seek help: See your GP if menopausal symptoms are affecting your daily life, mood or work, so you can discuss treatment options.

What it is

The menopause is the point when periods stop permanently because the ovaries make much less oestrogen; it is a natural life stage, usually around the early fifties, and is diagnosed in most women from the pattern of symptoms and periods rather than a blood test. The years of changing hormones leading up to it — the perimenopause — are when many symptoms are at their strongest. These can include hot flushes and night sweats, disturbed sleep, low or changeable mood, anxiety, brain fog, joint aches, vaginal dryness and reduced libido. Symptoms vary enormously: some women have few, others find daily life and work significantly affected. The fall in oestrogen also has longer-term effects, including a faster loss of bone strength, which is why bone health is part of the wider picture.

How it is treated

Care begins with information and an individual discussion of what is troubling the person most and what they want from treatment. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) — replacing the oestrogen the body is no longer making, with a progestogen added for women who still have a womb — is the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms and also helps protect bone. The decision to use HRT is individualised: for most women starting around the time of menopause the benefits for symptoms and bone outweigh the risks, but the balance is discussed personally, taking account of age, time since menopause, personal and family history, and the type and route of HRT. For women who cannot or prefer not to take HRT, non-hormonal medicines can reduce hot flushes, and vaginal symptoms can be treated locally. Treatment is reviewed over time, with no arbitrary limit on how long it can be continued if it is helping and the balance remains favourable.

For this condition, these medicines

Medicine classes used for Menopause

Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.

Menopausal hormone therapy (HRT) Women's health Hormone replacement therapy is the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms and also helps protect bone. SSRIs Mental health A non-hormonal option that can reduce hot flushes when HRT is unsuitable or not wanted. Clonidine Cardiovascular A non-hormonal option that can help reduce hot flushes.

Symptom checker

Symptoms that can point to Menopause

Menopause can be one cause of these symptoms. Each guide explains the other possible causes and the red-flag warning signs that mean you should get urgent help:

Night sweatsSweating heavily during sleep, often enough to soak your nightclothes or bedding.…Hot flushesSudden waves of heat, flushing and sweating, often spreading over the face, neck and chest…Excessive sweatingExcessive sweating means sweating more than the body needs to cool itself, which can affec…Burning or sore mouthA burning, scalded or sore sensation in the mouth, tongue or lips — which can come from th…Difficulty concentrating / brain fogA frustrating sense of being mentally cloudy, forgetful or unable to focus, most often cau…Cold sweatsBreaking out in a clammy, cold sweat that is not caused by heat or exertion — often a norm…Facial redness and flushingPersistent or recurring redness, warmth or flushing across the cheeks, nose, chin or foreh…Mood swingsMarked ups and downs in mood that can be a normal response to stress, sleep loss or hormon…Irregular periodsPeriods that come unpredictably, too often, too rarely, or with cycles that vary in length…Pain during sexPain felt during or after sex, either at the entrance or deeper inside, which is common, o…

By active ingredient

Specific medicines used for Menopause

Dose-free guides to individual active ingredients used in menopause — what each is, how it works, how to take it, and its advantages and disadvantages:

EstradiolThe main oestrogen in hormone replacement therapy (HRT), used to relieve menopausal sympto…TiboloneA single-tablet form of HRT that eases menopausal symptoms in women who are past the menop…DydrogesteroneA progestogen given alongside oestrogen in HRT to protect the lining of the womb, and used…Conjugated oestrogensAn oestrogen hormone replacement therapy used to relieve menopausal symptoms.…OspemifeneA daily tablet for painful vaginal dryness after the menopause when vaginal oestrogen cann…BazedoxifeneA selective oestrogen receptor modulator, often combined with conjugated oestrogens, used …ProgesteroneA natural progestogen hormone used in HRT to protect the womb lining alongside oestrogen, …EstriolA weak oestrogen used mainly as a vaginal cream or pessary to ease dryness and discomfort …EstroneA naturally occurring oestrogen used as part of hormone replacement therapy to ease menopa…ClonidineAn older medicine with several uses — high blood pressure, menopausal hot flushes, ADHD an…

Beyond medication

Lifestyle and self-care

Regular activity, a healthy weight, good sleep habits, limiting alcohol and caffeine, stopping smoking, keeping cool (light layers, a fan) and looking after bone and heart health all help to ease symptoms and support wellbeing through and after the menopause.

When to get help

When to see a doctor

See your GP if menopausal symptoms are affecting your daily life, mood or work, so you can discuss treatment options. Any bleeding after the menopause (once periods have stopped for a year), or unexpected bleeding while on HRT, should always be checked promptly to rule out other causes.

999Emergency — call 999 or go to A&E
111Urgent advice — call NHS 111 or use 111 online
GPNon-urgent — see your GP or pharmacist

Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.

Answers

Menopause: frequently asked questions

What medicines are used for the menopause?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms and also helps protect bone. For women who cannot take or prefer not to use HRT, non-hormonal options such as certain SSRIs or clonidine can help reduce hot flushes. The right choice depends on your symptoms, preferences and individual risk.

Is HRT safe?

For most women who start it around the time of menopause, the benefits for symptoms and bone protection outweigh the risks. The balance is individual and depends on your age, how long since your menopause, your personal and family history, and the type and route of HRT. It is a decision to make with your clinician, and one that can be reviewed over time.

Are there non-hormonal options for hot flushes?

Yes. When HRT is unsuitable or not wanted, certain SSRIs or clonidine can help reduce hot flushes and night sweats. Lifestyle measures such as keeping cool, limiting alcohol and caffeine, regular activity and good sleep habits also help.

How long can I stay on HRT?

There is no fixed limit. HRT can be continued for as long as the benefits for your symptoms (and, where relevant, bone protection) outweigh the risks for you. This is reviewed periodically with your clinician rather than stopped at an arbitrary age or time.

Keep reading

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Sources

Where this is drawn from

  • NICE NG23: Menopause: identification and management.
  • NICE CKS: Menopause.

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