·         hot flushes and night sweats

·         depression and irritability

·         tiredness, insomnia

·         dry vagina, painful intercourse

·         palpitations, headaches

·         poor memory / concentration

·         muscle and joint aches

·         a crawling feeling under the skin

·         bladder irritation / infections

This is the most effective and most popular treatment for relieving menopausal symptoms. It also reduces the risk of bone fractures and may protect some women from heart disease. These benefits should be weighed against a small increased risk of breast cancer after 5 years of use and thrombosis (blood clots).

Oestrogen can be taken as:

·          a daily tablet

·          skin patch, applied every 3-7 days

·          an implant which is inserted under the skin and lasts up to 12 months

·          a gel, rubbed into the skin daily

If you are taking oestrogen you also need progestogen, unless you have previously had a hysterectomy. Progestogen comes in tablets, and in a patch combined with oestrogen.

Vaginal creams or tablets

Oestrogen creams and vaginal tablets can relieve vaginal dryness, painful intercourse and bladder symptoms.

Phyto-estrogens (plant oestrogens)

Oestrogens from certain plant foods, such as soya products and red clover, and phyto-estrogen tablets, appear to help some women, although there is little evidence to support their use. Phyto-estrogens do not reduce the risk of osteoporosis or heart disease.

Other important issues

Try also to exercise regularly and get extra calcium from low-fat dairy foods or tablets. Have mammograms and pap smears every two years.