Home→Treatments

TREATMENTS

Understand your treatment options.

Without the pressure to choose today.

There is no single approach that is right for everyone. Explore clear, balanced information about HRT, non-hormonal treatments and practical approaches that may help manage menopause symptoms.

Your options can depend on your symptoms, medical history, preferences and priorities. Midlife Atlas helps you understand the landscape before discussing individual care with a healthcare professional.

Explore Treatment Options Build Questions for My Appointment

Balanced informationEvidence-led guidanceDesigned for healthcare conversations

calm midlife woman at a table reviewing health information, notebook and tablet, natural light

THE MAIN APPROACHES

Hormone therapy (HRT)

Non-hormonal options

Lifestyle & behavioural

Explore the main approaches

Menopause symptoms can be managed in different ways. Start with the approach you want to understand.

HORMONAL TREATMENT

Hormone Replacement Therapy

HRT replaces hormones that decline around menopause and may be discussed for symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and other menopause-related concerns.

BenefitsRisksTypesPatch vs gel vs tabletsEstrogen & progesterone

Explore HRT →

OTHER MEDICAL OPTIONS

Non-Hormonal Treatments

Some women may prefer, require or discuss treatment approaches that do not use systemic hormone therapy.

Prescription optionsHot-flash managementSleepMoodBehavioural approaches

Explore Non-Hormonal Options →

EVERYDAY MANAGEMENT

Lifestyle Approaches

Sleep, movement, stress management, nutrition and behavioural strategies can form part of a broader symptom-management plan.

SleepExerciseNutritionCBTStress management

Explore Lifestyle Approaches →

Start with what you want help with

You do not need to know the name of a treatment before exploring your options.

SELECT A CONCERN

Hot flashesNight sweatsSleep problemsVaginal drynessMood changesAnxietyJoint discomfortLow libidoBrain fogIrregular periodsFatigueUrinary symptoms

RELATED INFORMATION · HOT FLASHES

Understanding HRT →Non-hormonal options for hot flashes →CBT and behavioural approaches →Hot Flash & Night Sweat Diary →When to speak with a healthcare professional →

Topics worth learning about — not treatment recommendations.

Explore Treatments by Symptom ↓

HORMONAL TREATMENT

Understanding HRT

Hormone replacement therapy is one treatment option commonly discussed for menopause symptoms — but HRT is not one single treatment.

HRT can differ by:

•hormone type

•delivery method

•whether progesterone is needed

•whether treatment is systemic or local

•individual health considerations

Understand HRT Compare HRT Types

HOW HRT CAN BE TAKEN · NEUTRAL OVERVIEW

PATCH

Applied to the skin, changed on a schedule

Discuss: skin routes and your history

GEL

Rubbed onto the skin, usually daily

Discuss: dosing routine and flexibility

TABLET

Taken by mouth, usually daily

Discuss: oral vs skin routes

LOCAL VAGINAL

Used vaginally for local symptoms

Discuss: local vs systemic treatment

No route is ranked “best” — suitability is an individual clinical discussion.

Benefits and risks deserve equal attention

Treatment decisions involve trade-offs. Useful information should help readers understand both potential benefits and important considerations.

POTENTIAL BENEFITS

+Reduction in hot flashes

+Reduction in night sweats

+Improvement in some menopause-related symptoms

+Bone-health benefits in appropriate circumstances

+Other benefits depending on treatment type and individual situation

Explore HRT Benefits

RISKS & CONSIDERATIONS

Risks can depend on factors including:

•age

•personal medical history

•treatment type

•route of administration

•dose

•duration

•individual risk factors

Understand HRT Risks

Individual benefits and risks should be discussed with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

HRT is not one thing

There are different hormones, formulations and ways of taking HRT.

HORMONE

Estrogen

What it is and why it may be used.

Learn About Estrogen →

HORMONE

Progesterone

Why progesterone may be needed in some situations.

Learn About Progesterone →

DELIVERY

Patch

Transdermal hormone delivery.

Explore HRT Patches →

DELIVERY

Gel

Another transdermal delivery option.

Explore HRT Gel →

DELIVERY

Tablets

Oral HRT formulations.

Explore HRT Tablets →

LOCAL TREATMENT

Local Vaginal Estrogen

Treatment primarily used for vaginal and urinary symptoms.

Learn About Vaginal Estrogen →

SELECTED SITUATIONS

Testosterone

When testosterone may be discussed in selected situations.

Understand Testosterone →

Testosterone is not a routine part of HRT — it may be discussed in selected situations with specialist input.

OTHER MEDICAL OPTIONS

HRT is not the only option

Some women use or discuss non-hormonal approaches because of preference, medical considerations or the symptoms they want to manage.

Prescription options

Some prescription medications may be discussed for symptoms such as vasomotor symptoms, depending on individual circumstances.

Explore Non-Hormonal Medications →

Behavioural approaches

CBTSleep strategiesStress managementSymptom management

Structured techniques that may help with hot flash coping, sleep and mood.

Explore Behavioural Approaches →

Symptom-specific management

Vaginal symptomsSleep difficultiesMood changesHot flashes

Start from the symptom and explore the approaches relevant to it.

Browse by Symptom →

EVERYDAY MANAGEMENT

Everyday approaches that may support wellbeing

Lifestyle approaches are not a replacement for necessary medical care, but they may form part of a broader management plan.

Movement & strength

StrengthCardio fitnessMobilityBone health

Explore Exercise & Movement →

Sleep

Sleep environmentNight sweatsRoutineInsomnia strategies

Explore Sleep Support →

Nutrition

ProteinBone healthHeart healthBalanced nutrition

Explore Nutrition →

Mental wellbeing

StressAnxietyMoodCBTCoping strategies

Explore Mental Wellbeing →

Lifestyle approaches support wellbeing — they do not “fix hormones” or replace medical care when it is needed.

What matters when discussing treatment?

Treatment choices can depend on more than the symptom itself.

YOUR SYMPTOMS

YOUR PRIORITIES

YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY

YOUR PREFERENCES

PREVIOUS TREATMENTS

BENEFITS & RISKS

A good healthcare conversation considers the whole picture rather than simply asking, “Which treatment is best?”

Build My Treatment Questions Prepare for an Appointment

FREE TOOL

Better questions can lead to better conversations

Use the Midlife Atlas HRT Question Builder to organise the topics you want to discuss with a healthcare professional.

Build My HRT Questions Open Appointment Builder

This tool organises questions. It does not recommend a treatment.

I WANT TO DISCUSS

BenefitsRisksPatch vs gelProgesteroneBreast healthBlood-clot riskSide effectsHow long treatment is usedVaginal estrogenTestosteroneStopping or changing treatment

YOUR QUESTIONS

1.“What benefits might be realistic for the symptoms I’m experiencing?”

2.“What are the main differences between patches, gels and tablets?”

Compare treatment approaches

Orientation, not clinical comparison — no approach is scored or ranked.

MAY INVOLVE MEDICATION

HORMONAL / NON-HORMONAL

COMMON REASONS PEOPLE EXPLORE IT

CLINICIAN DISCUSSION

RELATED GUIDES

HRT

Yes

Hormonal

Hot flashes, night sweats, other menopause symptoms

Required

HRT Explained →

Non-hormonal prescription

Yes

Non-hormonal

When HRT is unsuitable or unwanted

Required

Non-Hormonal Options →

Behavioural approaches

Non-hormonal

Sleep, hot flash coping, mood, anxiety

Helpful, especially structured CBT

CBT & Menopause →

Lifestyle support

Non-hormonal

Everyday wellbeing foundations

Helpful for persistent symptoms

Lifestyle Approaches →

Explore All Treatment Guides

Some treatment decisions need more individual assessment

Personal medical history can influence which options may be appropriate to discuss. Individual assessment may be especially important when there is a history of:

•certain cancers

•unexplained vaginal bleeding

•cardiovascular risk factors

•blood clots

•liver disease

•migraine

•other important health conditions

Prepare for a Clinical Conversation

A history like this does not automatically rule options in or out.

It means the conversation deserves more individual attention — weighing your situation, preferences and the current evidence together with a qualified clinician.

This information is general and does not determine whether a treatment is suitable for an individual.

Common questions about menopause treatment

Is HRT the only treatment for menopause?

What symptoms may HRT help with?

What are the main types of HRT?

Is HRT safe for everyone?

What is the difference between HRT patches, gel and tablets?

Do I need progesterone with HRT?

Are there non-hormonal treatments for hot flashes?

Can lifestyle changes help menopause symptoms?

What is vaginal estrogen?

How long can someone use HRT?

What happens if I do not want HRT?

Should I speak with my doctor before trying treatment?

Latest treatment guides

View all guides →

Gathering the breadth of non-hormonal options on a warm ivory surface: a plain unmarked tablet blister, a pair of neutral walking shoes, a closed…

TREATMENTS

Non-Hormonal Treatments for Menopause: What the Evidence Shows

By Marcus Thorne·Sep 2026

Explore treatment information by symptom

HOT FLASHES

→HRT →Non-hormonal treatments →CBT →Hot Flash Diary

SLEEP PROBLEMS

→Sleep strategies →HRT and sleep →CBT →Sleep Tracker

VAGINAL DRYNESS

→Local vaginal estrogen →Non-hormonal moisturisers →Sexual health guides

MOOD & ANXIETY

→Mental wellbeing →Treatment options →CBT →Clinical discussion

JOINT DISCOMFORT

→Movement →Pain assessment →Related health information

LOW LIBIDO

→Sexual health →Hormone-related information →Psychological and relationship factors

Tools to help you prepare

FREE TOOL

HRT Question Builder

Create a personalised list of questions to discuss with your clinician.

Build My Questions

FREE TOOL

Appointment Builder

Organise symptoms, priorities and questions before an appointment.

Prepare My Appointment

FREE TOOL

Symptom Tracker

Understand what you have been experiencing over time.

Start Tracking

COMING SOON

Doctor Summary Builder

Turn your tracked information into a clear appointment summary.

Coming soon

Treatment information needs careful review

Treatment content should clearly distinguish between general evidence, clinical guidance and individual medical decisions.

EVIDENCE-LED

Uses reputable medical and scientific sources.

BALANCED

Benefits, risks, alternatives and uncertainty are represented.

EXPERT REVIEWED

Relevant clinical content is reviewed by appropriately qualified professionals where appropriate.

REGULARLY UPDATED

Important treatment guidance is revisited as evidence changes.

Read Our Medical Review Policy How We Choose Sources

FREE DOWNLOAD

Preparing for a menopause appointment?

Get the free Midlife Atlas Appointment Checklist to organise symptoms, priorities, medication information and questions before your visit.

Symptoms checklist

Current concerns

Medication & supplement list

Treatment questions

Appointment notes

Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

MIDLIFE ATLAS

Appointment Checklist

QUESTIONS TO ASK

Where would you like to go next?

Symptoms

Start with what you are experiencing.

Explore Symptoms →

HRT

Understand hormone replacement therapy in more depth.

Explore HRT →

Health

Explore sleep, heart, bone, mental and sexual health.

Explore Health →

Tools

Track symptoms and prepare for healthcare conversations.

Explore Tools →

Home→Treatments

TREATMENTS

Understand your treatment options.

Without the pressure to choose today.

There is no single approach that is right for everyone. Explore clear, balanced information about HRT, non-hormonal treatments and practical approaches that may help manage menopause symptoms.

Explore Treatment Options Build Questions for My Appointment

Balanced informationEvidence-led guidanceDesigned for healthcare conversations

THE MAIN APPROACHES

Hormone therapy (HRT)

Non-hormonal options

Lifestyle & behavioural

Explore the main approaches

Menopause symptoms can be managed in different ways. Start with the approach you want to understand.

HORMONAL TREATMENT

Hormone Replacement Therapy

HRT replaces hormones that decline around menopause and may be discussed for symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and other menopause-related concerns.

BenefitsRisksTypesPatch vs gel vs tabletsEstrogen & progesterone

Explore HRT →

OTHER MEDICAL OPTIONS

Non-Hormonal Treatments

Some women may prefer, require or discuss treatment approaches that do not use systemic hormone therapy.

Prescription optionsHot-flash managementSleepMoodBehavioural approaches

Explore Non-Hormonal Options →

EVERYDAY MANAGEMENT

Lifestyle Approaches

Sleep, movement, stress management, nutrition and behavioural strategies can form part of a broader symptom-management plan.

SleepExerciseNutritionCBTStress management

Explore Lifestyle Approaches →

Start with what you want help with

You do not need to know the name of a treatment before exploring your options.

SELECT A CONCERN

Hot flashesNight sweatsSleep problemsVaginal drynessMood changesAnxietyJoint discomfortLow libidoBrain fogIrregular periodsFatigueUrinary symptoms

RELATED INFORMATION · HOT FLASHES

Understanding HRT →Non-hormonal options for hot flashes →CBT and behavioural approaches →Hot Flash & Night Sweat Diary →When to speak with a healthcare professional →

Topics worth learning about — not treatment recommendations.

Explore Treatments by Symptom ↓

HORMONAL TREATMENT

Understanding HRT

Hormone replacement therapy is one treatment option commonly discussed for menopause symptoms — but HRT is not one single treatment.

HRT can differ by:

•hormone type

•delivery method

•whether progesterone is needed

•whether treatment is systemic or local

•individual health considerations

Understand HRT Compare HRT Types

HOW HRT CAN BE TAKEN · NEUTRAL OVERVIEW

PATCH

Applied to the skin, changed on a schedule

Discuss: skin routes and your history

GEL

Rubbed onto the skin, usually daily

Discuss: dosing routine and flexibility

TABLET

Taken by mouth, usually daily

Discuss: oral vs skin routes

LOCAL VAGINAL

Used vaginally for local symptoms

Discuss: local vs systemic treatment

No route is ranked “best” — suitability is an individual clinical discussion.

Benefits and risks deserve equal attention

Treatment decisions involve trade-offs. Useful information should help readers understand both potential benefits and important considerations.

POTENTIAL BENEFITS

+Reduction in hot flashes

+Reduction in night sweats

+Improvement in some menopause-related symptoms

+Bone-health benefits in appropriate circumstances

+Other benefits depending on treatment type and individual situation

Explore HRT Benefits

RISKS & CONSIDERATIONS

Risks can depend on factors including:

•age

•personal medical history

•treatment type

•route of administration

•dose

•duration

•individual risk factors

Understand HRT Risks

Individual benefits and risks should be discussed with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

HRT is not one thing

There are different hormones, formulations and ways of taking HRT.

HORMONE

Estrogen

What it is and why it may be used.

Learn About Estrogen →

HORMONE

Progesterone

Why progesterone may be needed in some situations.

Learn About Progesterone →

DELIVERY

Patch

Transdermal hormone delivery.

Explore HRT Patches →

DELIVERY

Gel

Another transdermal delivery option.

Explore HRT Gel →

DELIVERY

Tablets

Oral HRT formulations.

Explore HRT Tablets →

LOCAL TREATMENT

Local Vaginal Estrogen

Treatment primarily used for vaginal and urinary symptoms.

Learn About Vaginal Estrogen →

SELECTED SITUATIONS

Testosterone

When testosterone may be discussed in selected situations.

Understand Testosterone →

Testosterone is not a routine part of HRT — it may be discussed in selected situations with specialist input.

OTHER MEDICAL OPTIONS

HRT is not the only option

Some women use or discuss non-hormonal approaches because of preference, medical considerations or the symptoms they want to manage.

Prescription options

Some prescription medications may be discussed for symptoms such as vasomotor symptoms, depending on individual circumstances.

Explore Non-Hormonal Medications →

Behavioural approaches

CBTSleep strategiesStress managementSymptom management

Structured techniques that may help with hot flash coping, sleep and mood.

Explore Behavioural Approaches →

Symptom-specific management

Vaginal symptomsSleep difficultiesMood changesHot flashes

Start from the symptom and explore the approaches relevant to it.

Browse by Symptom →

EVERYDAY MANAGEMENT

Everyday approaches that may support wellbeing

Lifestyle approaches are not a replacement for necessary medical care, but they may form part of a broader management plan.

Movement & strength

StrengthCardio fitnessMobilityBone health

Explore Exercise & Movement →

Sleep

Sleep environmentNight sweatsRoutineInsomnia strategies

Explore Sleep Support →

Nutrition

ProteinBone healthHeart healthBalanced nutrition

Explore Nutrition →

Mental wellbeing

StressAnxietyMoodCBTCoping strategies

Explore Mental Wellbeing →

Lifestyle approaches support wellbeing — they do not “fix hormones” or replace medical care when it is needed.

What matters when discussing treatment?

Treatment choices can depend on more than the symptom itself.

YOUR SYMPTOMS

YOUR PRIORITIES

YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY

YOUR PREFERENCES

PREVIOUS TREATMENTS

BENEFITS & RISKS

A good healthcare conversation considers the whole picture rather than simply asking, “Which treatment is best?”

Build My Treatment Questions Prepare for an Appointment

FREE TOOL

Better questions can lead to better conversations

Use the Midlife Atlas HRT Question Builder to organise the topics you want to discuss with a healthcare professional.

Build My HRT Questions Open Appointment Builder

This tool organises questions. It does not recommend a treatment.

I WANT TO DISCUSS

BenefitsRisksPatch vs gelProgesteroneBreast healthBlood-clot riskSide effectsHow long treatment is usedVaginal estrogenTestosteroneStopping or changing treatment

YOUR QUESTIONS

1.“What benefits might be realistic for the symptoms I’m experiencing?”

2.“What are the main differences between patches, gels and tablets?”

Compare treatment approaches

Orientation, not clinical comparison — no approach is scored or ranked.

MAY INVOLVE MEDICATION

HORMONAL / NON-HORMONAL

COMMON REASONS PEOPLE EXPLORE IT

CLINICIAN DISCUSSION

RELATED GUIDES

HRT

Yes

Hormonal

Hot flashes, night sweats, other menopause symptoms

Required

HRT Explained →

Non-hormonal prescription

Yes

Non-hormonal

When HRT is unsuitable or unwanted

Required

Non-Hormonal Options →

Behavioural approaches

Non-hormonal

Sleep, hot flash coping, mood, anxiety

Helpful, especially structured CBT

CBT & Menopause →

Lifestyle support

Non-hormonal

Everyday wellbeing foundations

Helpful for persistent symptoms

Lifestyle Approaches →

Explore All Treatment Guides

Some treatment decisions need more individual assessment

Personal medical history can influence which options may be appropriate to discuss. Individual assessment may be especially important when there is a history of:

•certain cancers

•unexplained vaginal bleeding

•cardiovascular risk factors

•blood clots

•liver disease

•migraine

•other important health conditions

Prepare for a Clinical Conversation

A history like this does not automatically rule options in or out.

It means the conversation deserves more individual attention — weighing your situation, preferences and the current evidence together with a qualified clinician.

This information is general and does not determine whether a treatment is suitable for an individual.