Are there tablets for treating menopause?

Yes, tablets are part of a range of treatment options for menopause – there are a few different options if you want to get relief from symptoms of menopause such as hot flushes and night sweats. Menopause treatment comes in the form of: 

• Tablets that are taken by mouth

• Patches that are placed onto the skin 

• Gel that can be rubbed into the skin 

• Pessaries, creams, or rings that are directly inserted into the vagina

• Implants that are inserted into the skin

These treatments contain the following hormones: 

• Oestrogen and progesterone – menopause treatment containing both hormones are suitable for women who still have their womb 

• Oestrogen only – menopause treatment containing oestrogen is only suitable for women who have had their womb removed (a hysterectomy) because taking oestrogen on its own can increase the risk of cancer of the womb

What are these menopause tablets for? – menopause treatment is also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Getting symptoms when you are going through the menopause is completely normal and expected. However, some people can find these symptoms very bothersome. HRT replaces these hormones that your body stops producing when you go through the menopause. 

Are there prescription-free menopause tablets?

You can’t get medical HRT treatment without a prescription – getting hormone replacement therapy (HRT) treatment that is safe and effective for you requires an assessment by a doctor. This is because there are different strengths of medicines, different combinations of hormones, and different ways of taking HRT medication. So, there are a lot of factors to consider to make sure that you’re getting the treatment that’s most suitable for your body and your lifestyle. 

Non-prescription tablets marketed towards menopause – there are some prescription-free supplements available that are marketed towards women who are going through the menopause, such as black cohosh and soy. However, because these are not classed as medicines, they do not have to pass the same rigorous testing that prescription HRT go through. This means that the safety and effectiveness of prescription-free menopause treatments can’t be guaranteed in the same way as HRT medicines can. 

Non-prescription tablets aren’t recommended – studies have shown that these supplements can have an effect on menopause symptoms. However, these effects are no better than taking a dummy pill (placebo). This means that most doctors would not consider these treatments successful. 

Only buy treatment from licensed sources – we do not recommend that you buy any menopause treatment from illicit or unregulated sources. This is because the safety and effectiveness of the medicines cannot be guaranteed. You should use trusted, regulated services such as ours.

How can you get menopause tablets?

To get your supply of menopause tablets from our online doctor service: 

• Complete a short questionnaire about your health. This should take no more than a few minutes 

• You will then be able to choose from a range of menopause tablets or a phone consultation with a doctor to discuss treatment

• A doctor will review your questionnaire and assess whether the menopause tablet you’ve selected is suitable and safe for you

• Your supply of menopause tablets will be sent to you by post in a discreet packaging

Getting a GP recommendation first – you can’t get started on systemic menopause tablets (ones with a whole-body effect) through our service. For these treatments you should see your GP to discuss the benefits and risks associated with HRT and decide whether they are right for you:

• Make an appointment with your GP

• Come to your appointment to discuss options of menopause treatment available. You might wish to prepare information such as any medical conditions you have, any medications you are on currently, and any history of cancer in you or your family. These are some common questions that a doctor might ask in your review 

• If you are eligible for menopause treatment, your doctor may then write you a prescription 

• Bring your prescription to a pharmacy. If the pharmacy has the medication available, you can get your treatment in as little as a few minutes. If not, you should receive your supply the next day 

Am I eligible for treatment with tablets? – you are eligible for menopause tablets if you have menopause symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, or chills and there are no reasons which would make it unsafe for you. Although being menopausal means that you have not had a period for 12 months, you do not need to have stopped your period to be eligible for menopause treatment. Most women go through the menopause in their forties or fifties. However, you do not need to meet this age criteria to be suitable for menopause treatment. 

Not everyone is eligible – some types of menopause treatment may not be suitable for some women. You should not have menopause treatment at all if: 

• You are pregnant

• You are bleeding abnormally and no cause is diagnosed

• You have problems with blood clotting 

• You currently have cancer of the breast or womb

• You have liver problems

Women who have had their womb removed (a hysterectomy) may be suitable for menopause treatment which only contains the hormone oestrogen. On the other hand, women who still have their womb would need to have treatment containing both oestrogen and progesterone. This is because oestrogen which is taken by itself is linked to cancer of the womb.

How do tablets compare to other menopause treatments?

Are menopause tablets used for anything else?

Some systemic HRTs (ones that affect your whole body) can be used in some women to reduce their risk osteoporosis (thinning of the bones), which sometimes results from menopause.

Although menopause treatment and other treatments such as contraception contain the same hormones, there are actually differences between them: 

• Menopause treatment – menopause treatment contain very low levels of hormones, just enough to prevent symptoms such as hot flushes or night sweats

• Contraception – hormonal forms of contraception contain much higher levels of hormones. This is because the higher dose is needed to stop the changes in your body that takes place in order to become pregnant 

• Gender reassignment – oestrogen is also used as part of gender reassignment therapy for transgender females. The difference with menopausal treatment is that women who go through gender reassignment therapy additionally take medications that suppress male hormones 

Use your menopause treatment only as directed – if you are looking to use hormones for another purpose, we recommend that you consult your doctor. Also do not share you treatment with others.

Sources

Beral, V. (1999). Use of HRT and the subsequent risk of cancer. Journal of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Jan; 4(3):191-210.

British National Formulary. Estradiol. NICE. [online] Available at: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/estradiol.html [accessed 12th July 2018].

Clinical Knowledge Summaries (2015). Menopause. NICE. [online] Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/menopause [accessed 12th July 2018].

Menopause Matters (2017). Menopause Matters guideline on HRT. guidelines.co.uk. [online] Available at: https://www.guidelines.co.uk/womens-health/menopause-matters-guideline-on-hrt-/453873.article [accessed 4th August 2020].

Newton, K. M. (2006). Treatment of vasomotor symptoms of menopause with black cohosh, multibotanicals, soy, hormone therapy, or placebo: a randomized trial. Annals of Internal Medicine, Dec; 145(12): 869-879.

Unger, C. A. (2016). Hormone therapy for transgender patients. Transl Androl Urol., Dec; 5(6): 877-884.