Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) replaces hormones that naturally decline during menopause. At Welbeck, our menopause specialists offer personalised HRT plans to help reduce common menopause symptoms and improve long-term wellbeing.
What is hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?
During menopause, hormone levels fall, which can lead to a wide range of symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, brain fog, sleep disturbance, mood swings, anxiety, low mood, vaginal dryness, reduced concentration, and a lower libido.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) helps restore hormone levels, and can ease many menopause symptoms. It’s also been shown to help prevent bone loss and reduce the risk of fractures in postmenopausal women. HRT contains oestrogen and, when needed, progesterone or testosterone to replace the hormones that naturally decline during menopause.
At our dedicated Women’s Health centre, our specialists have extensive experience in supporting people through menopause. They understand how challenging this stage can be, and take the time to listen and create personalised treatment plans focused on your needs, goals, and long-term wellbeing. You’ll also receive regular follow-ups and clear guidance throughout your treatment, ensuring you feel supported at every step of your menopause journey.
More information
At your first consultation in our Women’s Health centre, your specialist will take the time to talk through your symptoms, medical history and how menopause is affecting your daily life. They may recommend some simple tests, such as blood tests or a transvaginal ultrasound, to understand your hormone levels and confirm your stage of menopause.
If HRT is suitable for you, your specialist will explain the different types available and help you choose the option that feels right. Treatment usually starts with a low dose, which is then adjusted depending on how you respond. HRT comes in several forms — tablets, patches, gels, sprays, and vaginal treatments — and your consultant will recommend the one that best suits your symptoms and preferences. If you still have periods, you may take HRT in a cyclical pattern, whereas people who no longer have periods usually take it daily. If you have a womb, you’ll need combined HRT (oestrogen and progesterone). If you have had a hysterectomy, oestrogen-only HRT may be recommended.
After your consultation, you can collect your medication straight away from our on-site pharmacy, and you’ll have regular follow-up appointments to review how you’re feeling and adjust your treatment, if needed. It’s completely normal for it to take a little time to find the type and dose of HRT that works best for you, and your specialist will support you throughout this process.
Typically, you’ll need to take HRT for around 2 to 5 years, until you’re post-menopausal and your symptoms have settled.
HRT is safe for most people, but like any medication, it carries some risks and side effects.
Common side effects include:
breast tenderness
nausea
mild bloating
light bleeding
These symptoms usually settle within the first few months of treatment.
Certain types of HRT may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer, blood clots, stroke, or heart disease. The level of risk depends on the type of HRT, your age, how long you take it for and your personal health history. Your consultant will explain your individual risk profile and help you decide whether HRT is suitable for you. In most cases, the benefits of HRT outweigh the associated risks.
Before starting HRT, your consultant will ask about your symptoms, periods, past medical history, previous surgeries, and any current medication, so it can be useful to bring this information, along with a list of any questions you have, with you to your initial consultation.
Many people start to see an improvement in symptoms within a few weeks, while others notice a gradual change over several months. You’ll be offered regular follow-up appointments to make sure your treatment is working well. Your consultant may adjust the dose or switch the type of HRT if needed.
You should let your specialist know about any unexpected bleeding, new symptoms, or side effects so your treatment can be reviewed. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle — including regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and not smoking — can also support your overall wellbeing during menopause.
Please contact the Women’s Health centre for pricing information.
At Welbeck, our women’s health specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
If you’d like to schedule a consultation with a women’s health specialist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
Our specialists
Professor Nick PanayConsultant Gynaecologist
Ms Claudine DomoneyConsultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
Mr Patrick BoseConsultant Obstetrician
Dr Charlotte IvesonGP & Advanced BMS Accredited Menopause Specialist
Dr Imogen ShawHormone Health Associate
Dr Nighat ArifGP with Specialist Interest in Women's Health
Professor Mary LumsdenHon Professor of Medical Education & Gynaecology- Mr Emeka OkaroConsultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, & Reproductive Medicine Specialist
Our locations
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Frequently asked questions
Yes. Many people start HRT during perimenopause, when hormone levels begin to change, and symptoms first appear. You do not need to have stopped your periods to start treatment. HRT can help ease symptoms such as hot flushes, mood changes, poor sleep and brain fog during this stage. Your specialist will discuss the best type of HRT for you, which may be taken in a cyclical pattern to work alongside your natural cycle.
You can start thinking about HRT as soon as you notice symptoms that may be linked to perimenopause or menopause, even if your periods haven’t stopped. Signs such as hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes, sleep problems, brain fog, vaginal dryness, or a drop in libido can all be early indicators that your hormone levels are changing. If these symptoms are beginning to affect your daily life, your confidence, your wellbeing or your relationships, it’s a good time to speak to a specialist about whether HRT could help. You should also consider HRT if you’re at higher risk of osteoporosis, or if you simply want to explore your options early so you feel informed and in control of your menopause journey.
There’s no strong evidence that HRT itself causes weight gain. Many people notice body changes during menopause due to natural hormonal shifts, ageing and changes in metabolism. In some cases, HRT can improve sleep and mood, which may help you maintain a healthier lifestyle and stable weight.
HRT is usually not recommended if you’ve had breast cancer, as it may increase the chance of the cancer returning. In most cases, your consultant will talk through safe alternatives and create a plan to help manage your menopause symptoms without using HRT.