This article outlines the key components of assessing perimenopausal or menopausal women and discusses the benefits and risks of hormonal and non-hormonal treatments.
Key points:
- Menopause is a time of change for women and provides an opportunity for health assessment and promotion.
- MHT is the most effective treatment for symptom relief and can be offered to most women.
- Topical vaginal oestrogen treatment is effective in relieving urogenital symptoms.
- For women with contraindications to MHT or those who prefer not to take hormones, non-hormonal options are available, and new non-hormonal options are currently under investigation.
See online at Making choices at menopause
Authors:
AMS Board Member Dr Karen Magraith BMBS, FRACGP and AMS Past-President Professor Bronwyn Stuckey BA, MBBS, FRACP
Content created October 2019