New guidelines back hormone therapy for menopause symptoms

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 16 Oct, 17:33 · Archive

Medical guidelines now recommend hormone replacement therapy as a first-line treatment for common menopause symptoms.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the leading OB-GYN professional organisation in the United States, has released new guidance recommending hormone replacement therapy for women experiencing common menopause and perimenopause symptoms. The new recommendations mark the first change in over a decade and represent a significant shift in treatment approaches. According to Dr Kameelah Phillips, an OB-GYN and menopause specialist, hormone replacement therapy is now 'the first line' for vasomotor symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats and sleep issues.

Most menopause symptoms are caused by steep drops in the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, typically occurring in a woman's late 40s or early 50s. These hormone drops can result in hot flashes, night sweats and other symptoms, whilst low levels of oestrogen and progesterone can also lead to reduced bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis or fractures. Hormone replacement therapy can help eliminate these symptoms.

The therapy can be delivered in multiple ways, including pills, patches, sprays, gels, or a vaginal ring that delivers hormones directly into the bloodstream. Some women also benefit from low-dose vaginal oestrogen therapy. ACOG stated that 'menopause is a normal and natural stage of life, but that doesn't mean that women must suffer through the symptoms without help.'

How it is being reported

• Nearly 1 In 2 Women Have Their Menopause Symptoms Dismissed Says New ResearchResearch into menopause and perimenopause is vastly improving. This means that while we may have always associated mood swings and hot flushes with these life changes, we have learned that they can actually fundamentally change the body. While this is very hopeful for future generations of women, a new survey conducted by Holland and Barrett in partnership with Menopause Mandate has found that 46% of women are still having perimenopause and menopause symptoms dismissed by other women. Additionally, the research found an age disparity with younger women entering perimenopause feeling the most…HuffPost UK · 16 Oct, 17:10
• New guidelines support hormone therapy for menopause symptomsA leading OB-GYN organization now recommends hormone replacement therapy for many women experiencing common menopause symptoms including hot flashes.CBS News · 16 Oct, 16:01
• What to know about new guidelines for menopause and perimenopause treatmentNew health guidelines strongly support the use of hormone therapy to treat perimenopause and menopause symptoms. Menopause specialist Dr. Kameelah Phillips joins to discuss.CBS News · 16 Oct, 14:33

In this story: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists · Dr Kameelah Phillips · United States

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