Perimenopause and menopause is a difficult transition period for women which can last up to 8 years. Decrease in hormone levels over a short period of time can lead to a myriad of unwanted symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, irritability, breast pain, sleeping disorders, bloatedness and weight gain, decrease in libido, vaginal dryness, mood disturbances and skin aging.

A woman’s risk of heart disease, cancer and thinning of the bones also significantly increases after menopause and it is therefore also very important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and undergo routine screening.

The 2 main female hormones that are important to balance out in the body are Oestrogen and Progesterone.

How are hormones replaced into a woman’s body?

There are several preparations which can be used to introduce hormones into the body such as topical creams applied onto the skin, oral tablets, troches placed under the tongue and pessaries or other topical applications which are inserted directly into the vagina. Depending on the symptoms and indication for hormone replacement the 2 most common preparations are creams for skin and/or vaginal application.