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Menopause - HRT

  • Midlife Hormonal Changes
  • Perimenopause
  • Menopause Health
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

RETHINK MENOPAUSE

Modern perimenopause and menopause management includes more than just hormone replacement, it involves non-hormonal treatments, lifestyle interventions, optimising mid-life health and preventing future disease. It is one of the most important times in your life to have a thorough, whole person assessment by a specialist GP who is experienced in this area of medicine that has changed significantly in the past few years.

Many people are suffering during the perimenopause and menopause stages of life now because of outdated information that no longer applies. There is a misperception that persists from the Women’s Health Initiative trial, published 20 years ago in 2002: that HRT increases your risk of breast cancer.

What we know now is that the loss of oestrogen in the perimenopause and menopause puts people at risk of serious disease and disability: especially cognitive decline (and dementia), heart attack and stroke, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes and the accelerated aging and thinning of our skin.

We also know that body-identical oestrogen does not cause an increase in breast cancer risk.
Rossouw JE, Anderson GL, Prentice RL, LaCroix AZ, Kooperberg C, Stefanick ML, et al. Risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin in healthy postmenopausal women: principal results from the Women’s Health Initiative randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2002;288(3):321–33

Definitions

Menopause technically begins 12 months after your last menstrual period (LMP). The median age in Australia is 50-52 years.

This is the time from when menstrual cycle changes begin (irregular, heavy, light or missed) up until 12 months after your LMP. These changes can start 5-8 years before your LMP.

Age 40-45

age <40. This was historically called premature menopause. There is a significant increased risk of heart attack and stroke, cognitive decline & dementia, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes and premature death in this group of people.

What we know now is that the loss of oestrogen in the perimenopause and menopause puts people at risk of serious disease and disability: especially cognitive decline (and dementia), heart attack and stroke, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes and the accelerated aging and thinning of our skin. ​

We also know that body-identical oestrogen does not cause an increase in breast cancer risk. ​

Body-identical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is regulated by the TGA and is the safest and most effective form of HRT. It has the same molecular structure as the oestrogen and progestogen that our bodies produce naturally.

​Body-identical HRT will reduce or stop hot flushes and sleep disturbance but it’s most important role long-term is the reduced risk of cognitive decline, dementia, heart attack and stroke, osteoporosis and type 2 diabetes.If oestrogen is taken via a patch or gel there is no increased risk of blood clots (deep vein thrombosis).

I believe that perimenopause and menopause health is neglected in Australia and that people suffer unnecessarily. In addition, there are serious consequences to the long-term health people in this stage of life without proper management.

Please book an appointment to discuss and plan what you can to optimise your health in this important time of your life.   

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Symptoms of perimenopause and menopause

Mental Health

  • Low mood
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Panic attacks
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Irritibility
  • Mood swings

Cognitive

  • Brain fog
  • Poor memory
  • Word finding difficulty
  • Poor concentration
  • Poor motivation
  • Loss of confidence

Physical

  • Headaches
  • Weight gain
  • Bloating
  • Fatigue
  • Palpitations
  • Restless legs

Skin Changes

  • Loss of collagen
  • Accelerated aging/wrinkles
  • Thinning of skin
  • Dryness
  • Skin conditions such as dermatitis and rosacea

Genitourinary
(vulva/vagina
and bladder)

  • Vaginal dryness
  • Discomfort or pain with sexual intercourse
  • Vulval stinging or burning
  • Urinary frequency or urgency
  • Incontinence

Vasomotor(hot flushes)

  • Hot flushes
  • Night sweats
If you would like to discuss this further, please book a long appointment
with your doctor today by clicking on the 'Book Appointment' button ​ below.
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