Title: Hormone Replacement Therapy

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Managing the Menopause

British Menopause Society Council Consensus Statement on Hormone Replacement Therapy

Summary

The British Menopause Society Council aims to aid health professionals to inform and advise women about the menopause. This guidance refers to estrogen- based hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and tibolone, which is classified in the British National Formulary as HRT. Treatment choice should be based on up to date information and targeted to individual women's needs. HRT still offers the potential for benefit to outweigh harm, providing the appropriate regimen has been instigated in terms of dose, route and combination for a valid clinical indication.

12 February 2008

Summary practice points

• In the UK most women who request HRT do so for symptom relief, often using it for a short time (less than 5 years) and it is the most effective treatment
• Women with a premature menopause should normally be offered HRT until the average age of the menopause (52)
• The merits of long term use need to be assessed for each individual at regular intervals, such as annually
• Women whose uterus is present should be offered combined HRT as estrogen alone will increase the risk of endometrial cancer
• Given appropriately the benefits of HRT outweigh any risks and its use should not be restricted.

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