A personal assessment
Menopause care should begin with your symptoms and medical history. Discuss changes in periods, hot flushes, sleep, mood and vaginal comfort with a clinician.
Options to discuss
Hormone replacement therapy can help some symptoms; non-hormonal medicines and other approaches are also available. Suitability and the form of treatment depend on your history. Local vaginal estrogen may be considered for dryness or soreness.
Before your appointment
Bring your medicine list and relevant history, including cancer, blood clots and unusual bleeding. Ask about benefits, risks, alternatives and how your response will be reviewed.
A thoughtful follow-up plan
Ask who will review ongoing treatment after you return home, how prescriptions will be handled and when to seek assessment for new symptoms.
THE DECISION THAT MATTERS
Choose care around the symptoms affecting your life, your medical history and a realistic plan for ongoing review.
Options to discuss with a clinician
Hormone replacement therapy
HRT can help menopause symptoms. A clinician should explain the formulation, benefits and risks in relation to your history.
Local treatment for vaginal symptoms
Vaginal oestrogen may help dryness and irritation. It does not treat symptoms such as hot flushes in the same way as systemic HRT.
Other approaches
Non-hormonal treatments and menopause-specific cognitive behavioural therapy may be discussed. Ask which option addresses your particular symptoms.
Questions specific to this concern
- Which of my symptoms are likely related to menopause, and does anything need separate investigation?
- Do I need systemic treatment, local vaginal treatment, or both?
- How do my cancer, clotting or bleeding history and current medicines affect the options?
- Who will adjust treatment if the first prescription does not suit me?
What to bring
Bring menstrual dates, a symptom diary, medicine and supplement names, relevant screening results and previous hormone prescriptions. Note your priorities: sleep, hot flushes, vaginal comfort or mood.
Plan the care after your appointment
Before starting treatment abroad, ask whether the same medicine is available at home, how much can be prescribed and when review is needed. Request the generic medicine name and instructions in writing.
Further clinical reading: NHS patient guidance ↗. Checked 15 October 2026. Recommendations require an individual clinical assessment.
General information for consultation preparation; not individual advice. Clinic service availability and suitability must be confirmed.
Read the source ↗
