When should it be done? of Hormone replacement therapy

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HRT should be started when the menopause starts. In most women, this is around the age of 50. Symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats are usually the first to improve (often within the first two weeks of starting HRT), and other symptoms should improve thereafter. As so many treatment options are available, it may be necessary to try different types of HRT before finding the most suitable preparation.

HRT should not be taken by a woman who:

Has had breast or womb cancer, as dormant traces of the disease could theoretically be stimulated by HRT
Has unusual vaginal bleeding that hasn't been investigated
Has severe liver disease
Has had a stroke or deep-vein thrombosis, or has untreated high blood pressure
May be pregnant (still the most common reason for periods to stop, and a possibility for up to two years after the start of the menopause).

The treatment options available should be carefully discussed with your doctor if you suffer from migraine, or from conditions such as insulin-dependent diabetes or irritable bowel syndrome which may have an impact on the method of HRT delivery (e.g. patches rather than tablets).

You should also discuss the options with your doctor if you have a family history of breast cancer.