In Australia, there is a range of evidence-based medical treatments for managing menopause-related symptoms. These include:
- Hormone treatments – prescription medicines in various forms, including tablets, gels and creams, that add back some of the hormones that were produced inside your body before the menopause transition.
- Non-hormonal treatments – prescription medicines that do not contain hormones, including medicines that specifically target hot flushes and night sweats, and antidepressants that might help treat hot flushes, night sweats and mood changes.
- Psychological therapies – Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and hypnosis might help improve hot flushes and night sweats, sleep, and mood changes.
- Non-prescription medicines – for treatment or management of symptoms such as muscle aches and pains and sleep problems.
There is also a range of complementary (sometimes called ‘alternative’ or ‘natural’) therapies and medicines. Most complementary therapies and medicines do not have strong scientific evidence to support their use, and the term ‘natural’ does not mean they are safe. It is important that you talk to your doctor before using any type of complementary therapy or medicine.
If medical treatments are not right for you, there are lots of other things you can do to help look after your health. These include eating a healthy diet, being physically active, and implementing healthy lifestyle and behavioural changes.
For more information on these, go to the managing symptoms page.
Hormone treatments
Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT), which used to be called Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), is a prescription only treatment.
MHT adds back or supplements declining levels of natural hormones, primarily oestrogen and progesterone, to ease some menopause-related symptoms.
MHT can be a safe and effective treatment for symptoms caused by low hormone levels, including hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. MHT might also help with sleep problems, mood changes, and might also help maintain bone strength and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
If you've had a hysterectomy (surgery to remove your uterus) your doctor might suggest an oestrogen only MHT. If you still have a uterus, your doctor might suggest MHT that combines oestrogen and progestogen (progesterone or similar). This is to protect against the risk of cancer of the uterus, which occurs with oestrogen alone.
MHT is available in different forms, including:
- tablets
- skin patches
- gels
- vaginal treatments (cream or pessaries) for people who experience local symptoms of vaginal dryness or irritation.
What to expect
You may experience mild side effects when starting MHT, such as nausea, bloating or breast tenderness, so your doctor might recommend starting with a low dose. A follow-up appointment is usually recommended after 6 to 12 weeks to check how the treatment is working and adjust the dose if needed. After that, regular check-ups might be recommended.
Some women use MHT for a few years, while others continue for longer under medical supervision.
Benefits and risks
All medicines have benefits and risks.
Current Australian evidence shows that MHT is safe and effective for most healthy people.
MHT might not be suitable if you have a history of breast or uterine cancer, unexplained vaginal bleeding or certain heart conditions, or if you have an increased risk of blood clots.
Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of MHT and what is best for you.
Testosterone, tibolone and hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs)
Testosterone is not a standard part of MHT. A doctor might suggest testosterone for some women to help with low libido.
Tibolone is a form of MHT. A doctor might consider tibolone for some women to help with low libido and support bone strength.
Hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) contain a progestogen. A doctor might suggest an IUD for some women to prevent pregnancy and help protect the uterus.
More information on hormone treatments
The Jean Hailes for Women’s Health website and Australasian Menopause Society website have more information on MHT and other treatment options.
Non-hormonal treatments
Non-hormonal treatments can be effective for some common menopause-related symptoms. Non-hormonal medicines require a prescription from your doctor.
Non-hormonal treatments that might be suitable for some people include:
- veoza (fezolinetant) which is approved in Australia for the treatment of hot flushes and night sweats
- anti-depressants
- some blood pressure medications.
To find out more about non-hormonal treatments, visit the Australasian Menopause Society website or the Jean Hailes for Women’s Health website.
Psychological therapies
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a structured talking therapy that helps you develop coping strategies by changing unhelpful thinking patterns. CBT can help reduce the impact of menopause symptoms such as:
- hot flushes
- night sweats
- low mood
- anxiety
- sleep disturbance.
CBT can be provided by psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors with mental health training, mental health nurses and some counsellors.
Learn more about CBT on the HealthDirect website.
Hypnosis
Clinical hypnosis has been shown to be effective and might help to reduce hot flushes, night sweats, calm the body's stress response, and improve sleep quality. This works by using the person’s natural ability to focus attention and respond to suggestion, helping them feel more comfortable.
More information about non-hormonal treatments
The Jean Hailes for Women’s Health website has more information on non-hormonal treatments.
Non-prescription medicines
There are a number of medicines, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, that are available without needing a prescription that can assist with the short-term relief of muscle aches and pains. There are also non-prescription medicines available that may assist with the short-term relief of sleep problems.
Complementary therapies and medicines
There is a range of complementary therapies and medicines that might help with some menopause-related symptoms.
These include some herbal medicines, dietary supplements (vitamins and minerals), mindfulness, yoga, and traditional medicinal systems such as Traditional Chinese Medicine. When used together with healthy lifestyle behaviours, these therapies might support wellbeing, help you relax, and improve quality of life.
In Australia, most complementary medicine practitioners are not regulated by the government. If you choose to see a complementary medicine practitioner, it is important to check that they belong to a professional association with evidence‑based training standards.
In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulates complementary medicines that make health claims. If you buy complementary medicines, look for an AUST number on the label. This shows the product is listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) and regulated by the TGA.
Complementary medicines are either listed or registered on the ARTG, based on their risk:
- Most complementary medicines are listed medicines (these have an AUST L number). These are not assessed by the TGA before they are sold, but they can only contain low‑risk ingredients and can only make low‑level health claims from a TGA pre-approved list.
- Complementary medicines that make stronger health claims (for example, iron supplements used to treat iron deficiency anaemia) must be registered medicines (these have an AUST R number). These are fully assessed by the TGA for quality, safety, and effectiveness before they can be sold.
Be careful when buying medicines, including medicines sold online, that are not listed on the ARTG. These products might not meet Australian safety or quality standards, and there is no guarantee that they are safe.
Most complementary therapies and medicines do not have strong scientific evidence to support their use, and the term ‘natural’ does not mean they are safe. Complementary medicines can interact with prescription medicines and might not be suitable for people with certain health conditions.
You should always tell your doctor about any complementary therapies or medicines you are planning to use. This will help make sure your treatment is safe, appropriate, and part of a well-informed approach to managing your care.
Compounded bioidentical hormones
Bioidentical hormone therapy (BHT) usually refers to compounded, custom-made hormone preparations. These products are often promoted as ‘natural’, but this can be misleading.
BHT is not recommended by medical professionals. These products are not more natural than MHT – even if they are made from plants they are chemically processed in a lab just like the hormones in MHT.
Compounded BHT products are not tested or regulated. This means the dose and safety are uncertain, and there might be risks.
More information about complementary therapies and medicines
For evidence based information on complementary therapies and bioidentical hormone therapy, visit the Australasian Menopause Society website.
Talk to your doctor about what is right for you
Menopause-related symptoms can overlap with those of other medical conditions, and not all treatment options will be suitable for every person.
It is important to seek advice from a qualified health professional to make sure you receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate care.
Do not disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice because of the information provided on this website.