Personalised HRT, with specialist support

That’s absolutely fine. Many people come to Voy already using HRT, either through the NHS or privately. During your appointment, your specialist will review your current treatment - looking at the type, dose, how long you’ve been taking it, and how well it’s working for you. If things are going well, they may recommend continuing as you are. If symptoms aren’t fully controlled or you’re experiencing side effects, they can suggest adjustments or alternative options.

Because we have access to a wide range formulations and doses, we’re often able to fine-tune treatment to better suit your symptoms and how your body responds, with ongoing monitoring and support to help it work as effectively as possible.

There’s no fixed time limit. You can take HRT for as long as the benefits outweigh any risks for you. Some women use it for a few years to get through the worst symptoms. Others stay on it longer for symptom control and long-term benefits like bone health. This is something you review regularly with your doctor and decide together.

If HRT isn’t suitable, there are alternatives. These include supplements specifically created for midlife, menopause-specific CBT for mood and sleep, and targeted treatments like vaginal oestrogen or face cream for local symptoms. They’re generally less effective than HRT for overall symptom relief, but they can still make a meaningful difference.

The biggest sign is how you feel. Most women notice improvements in hot flushes, sleep, mood, and brain fog within weeks, with full benefits usually seen by around 3 months. You might not wake up one day feeling “fixed”, often it’s more subtle, like realising you haven’t had night sweats for days or that work feels manageable again.

For most women, the absolute risk is small. Oestrogen-only HRT (used if you don’t have a womb) does not increase breast cancer risk. Combined HRT (oestrogen plus progestogen) is associated with a slight increase, which depends on the type of progestogen used and how long HRT is taken. Body-identical progesterone, the main progestogen used in modern HRT, is thought to carry very little or no increased risk. Your doctor will always assess your personal risk factors and help you weigh the risks against the benefits.

Mild side effects, like breast tenderness, nausea, headaches, or bloating, are common in the first 4–6 weeks and usually settle as your body adjusts. If side effects are severe, last longer than expected, or feel worse than your original symptoms, your treatment should be reviewed. This usually means adjusting the dose, changing the type of hormones, or switching how you take them, not stopping altogether.

HRT is the most effective treatment for menopause symptoms, helping many women feel more like themselves again. Common benefits include:

Blood tests can help in some situations, but they’re not always necessary. Menopause is usually diagnosed based on your symptoms and age, not just hormone levels, which can fluctuate day to day. Blood tests are more useful if there’s uncertainty, if you’re already on HRT and not improving, or if another condition (like thyroid problems or deficiencies) needs ruling out.