Menopause (HRT)

The menopause is the natural process that happens to women when their ovaries begin to produce less oestrogen and progesterone, which signals the end of their fertility. It typically lasts 7 years but can sometimes take up to 14 years, although it’s rare.

The menopause affects women aged between 45 and 55. It can affect women in their 20’s or 30’s which is referred to as premature menopause. Menopause is a natural part of life and affects every woman who has a reproductive system.

During the menopause, the female body is going through substantial changes, so there can be a wide range of side effects during the process. Everyone is different, so no two people will experience the exact same symptoms.

Here are the most common side effects of the menopause: 

• Hot flushes
• Night sweats
• Hair thinning/hair loss
• Brain Fog
• Headaches or migraines
• Changes in mood
• Joint pain
• Sleeping problems
• Lack of identity
• Anxiety
• Low libio

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, then you can speak to one of e-Surgery’s pharmacy team by using our ‘ask a pharmacist’ service, which is free to use.

Yes, it is possible that menopause can affect our blood pressure. This is because of the declining oestrogen levels that affect blood vessel flexibility. The hormonal shift increases the risk of developing hypertension which can be extremely serious if left untreated. There are remedies for high blood pressure that you can do to help lower it. If you are concerned about your blood pressure, you should speak to your GP or pharmacist.

Yes. The body naturally produces less oestrogen which means fewer natural oils and collagen are released causing the skin to become dry. Dry skin can make the skin feel very itchy. You should moisturise regularly to keep the skin from becoming irritable.

Yes, the hormonal changes in the woman’s body can affect metabolism and fat distribution.  As oestrogen levels decline, it can lead to an increase in body fat and a decrease in muscle mass. Exercising less due to the fatigue and eating more due to increased cravings and changes in appetite can also lead to weight gain.  Menopause isn’t the direct cause of weight gain, but it is a byproduct of the symptoms of the process.

Yes, the changes in hormones within the female body can increase the risk of developing yeast infections, especially thrush. The decrease in oestrogen during menopause can lead to a thinner vaginal lining and decreased acidity in the vagina, creating an environment where yeast can overgrow. This may result in symptoms like itching, burning, and abnormal discharge.

If you are experiencing thrush during menopause, you should speak to your GP or pharmacist. You can also order treatment online such as Fluconazole.

During menopause oestrogen levels in the body are considerably lower. Oestrogen helps protect joints and reduces inflammation, so often women can experience joint pain or even develop osteoporosis and osteoarthritis due to the increase in inflammation around the joints.

Yes, some women may experience bloating during menopause. This is attributed to the hormonal changes, specifically the reduction in oestrogen levels. Changes in body composition can change how the body regulates fluids and process the digestion of food. This results in increased water retention, which is a main cause of boating.

HRT is a treatment that is taken by women experiencing menopause. It works by replacing the hormones oestrogen and progesterone in the body, which are naturally decreasing. The treatment is designed to help reduce the side effects of menopause, making life more manageable.

You can purchase HRT treatments from your local pharmacy or through online pharmacies such as e-Surgery and get it delivered directly to your door. You will have to take a short consultation with one of our pharmacy team to ensure that the medication is suitable for your condition or symptoms.

Usually, people will start to see the effects of HRT after a few weeks, but it can take up to 3 months. This is when you hot flushes and night sweats should start to decrease or feel less severe. Sometimes treatment can take less time or more time to affect your body, this can be down to several factors including age, diet, lifestyle and health.

If you feel the treatment, you are on is not working, you should consult your GP or pharmacist as soon as possible.

HRT can make cause women to bleed irregularly or even bleed heavier, this usually settled between 3 and 6 months. But for some, they may feel it has the opposite effect. Like any medication, the side effects will vary from person to person. If you feel the HRT is causing heavier bleeding, speak to your GP or pharmacist right away.

HRT patches should be placed onto an area of the skin that is below the waist, usually people place it on the leg, thigh or buttocks. If you need more information on, what HRT patches are you can read this article by My Menopause Centre: https://www.mymenopausecentre.com/gp-resources/hrt-patches-information-sheet/

Possibly. There are a few reasons that taking HRT can improve weight loss, such as the oestrogen increase can help boost the metabolism, increase energy levels and helps reduce sleep disturbances all these factors play a key role in the process of losing weight.

You should not take HRT to solely lose weight, as it should only be taken by those going through menopause. If you are struggling to lose weight, attempting a change in diet, exercising more, and implementing lifestyle changes can all help to lose fat.

If you are still struggling with your weight there, are medications you can take, but this should only be if you have tried all the above.

HRT can make you feel worse before you start to feel better. This is a common when people first start taking the medication, this is due to the changes in hormone levels in the body. If the treatment continues to make your symptoms feel worse, you should speak to your healthcare provider as soon as possible so they can diagnose the reason for this and prescribe you alternative medication if needed.

HRT is considered safe for most women, though with any medication there can be side effects to taking it. Risks and benefits vary depending on factors like age, health history, and the type of HRT used. Long-term use of combined oestrogen-progestin therapy may carry a slight increase in certain health risks such as blood clots and breast cancer.

If you are conserved about the possible side effects to HRT medication, you should raise this to your GP or pharmacist during your consultation.

Yes, HRT can increase the risk of developing cancer, but only slightly. This is dependent on multiple factors, including the type of HRT, genetics, and lifestyle. If you are concerned about the side effects of HRT treatment, then you should consult your healthcare provider.

You can read more about HRT & Cancer here: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/hormones-and-cancer/does-hormone-replacement-therapy-increase-cancer-risk

All treatments contain different ingredients, including various forms of HRT patches. If you are concerned that a particular HRT patch may contain animal products, you should read the patient information leaflet or ask your GP or pharmacist for more information on the product.