Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can begin once you start having menopausal symptoms.
The average age for women to have the menopause is 52. However, some women experience it when they are still in their forties, or as late as their sixties. There is no way of predicting when the menopause will occur.
You may have menopausal symptoms before your actual menopause starts – this is known as the peri-menopause. The peri-menopause happens because the levels of oestrogen and progesterone fall when your number of remaining eggs drops below a certain level. It means women can experience menopausal symptoms even when they are still having periods.
In most cases, you can take HRT without taking a test to confirm that you are starting the menopause.
Testing for the menopause is usually only necessary if you are under 40 or experiencing unusual bleeding patterns during your period. These tests can rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as having an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) or cervical cancer.
When HRT is not suitable
HRT may not be suitable if you:
- have a history of breast, ovarian or endometrial cancer
- have a history of blood clots
- have a history of heart disease or stroke
- have untreated high blood pressure (your blood pressure will need to be controlled before you can start HRT)
- have liver disease
- are pregnant
Under these circumstances, different medicines may be prescribed to help control your symptoms. See HRT - alternatives for more information.
