Meno-mythbusting:

HRT

HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY (HRT) IS ONE OF MANY CHOICES WOMEN HAVE WHEN NAVIGATING MENOPAUSE AND YET MYTHS PERSIST. WE ASKED DR CLARE SPENCER, CO-FOUNDER OF MY MENOPAUSE CENTRE, WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Do I need HRT?

HRT can be the most effective way of managing menopause signs while transforming how you feel. It also provides longterm health benefits for many women, reducing the risk of osteoporosis, fractures and potentially heart disease. But many women are anxious about taking it, often because of how small risks are reported. HRT can offer relief by replacing some of the oestrogen that your body loses during menopause. It may not help manage every sign of menopause so it's important to stay informed.

But isn't HRT risky?

The risks of HRT vary. Age, weight, whether you smoke, how much you drink, existing conditions and family medical history may influence how risks affect you, as well as the type and form of HRT used.

HRT should be tailored to you by a healthcare professional. An increased chance of breast cancer is the risk concerning most, but every woman has a background risk of breast cancer before HRT is added.

The data indicates that the risk is very low for most women.

Will HRT delay menopause?

No, this simply isn't true. HRT treats the symptoms you're experiencing right now, it doesn't put menopause on pause.
When you eventually stop taking it, you'll feel how you would have felt at that age naturally. For some women, the signs last a few years, while others find they need longer-term support.

What's most important is finding the right solution for you and remembering that HRT isn't one-size-fits-all.

With the right information, you can make choices that work for your body and lifestyle.

Will HRT make me gain weight?

The truth is HRT doesn't cause weight gain – that's a misconception. What actually happens during menopause is that hormonal changes and a slowing metabolism can lead to weight fluctuations, but the HRT itself isn't to blame. HRT can cause fluid retention, which can translate into weight on the scales but this usually settles. If it doesn't, adjusting the HRT may help. Managing weight during menopause is about more than hormones – it's a combination of diet, exercise, stress management and sometimes medical support.

Do I need HRT?

Most women begin the perimenopause and start menopause symptoms in their mid-to-late 40s, but it can be earlier. One per cent of women under the age of 40 go through the menopause and five per cent by the time they are 45. So you can never be ‘too young’ – it all depends on what’s going on in your body. If you are going through a premature or early menopause, a discussion about HRT is important. Not only does it ease symptoms, but it can help prevent osteoporosis, heart disease and the decline of brain function. Taking HRT under the age of 50 is unlikely to significantly increase your risk of breast cancer – for most the benefits far outweigh any small risks.

Want to know more?

To speak to a nurse or doctor about your menopause, book an appointment at mymenopausecentre.com

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WHETHER IT'S DRYNESS, DISCOMFORT OR JUST PEACE OF MIND, BOOTS OPTICIANS HAS EXPERT ADVICE TAILORED TO YOU

ADVERTISING FEATURE

See the difference

WHETHER IT'S DRYNESS, DISCOMFORT OR JUST PEACE OF MIND, BOOTS OPTICIANS HAS EXPERT ADVICE TAILORED TO YOU

Dry eyes are a common but often overlooked sign of menopause. Fluctuating hormones can reduce tear production, leaving eyes feeling gritty, sore or watery, often without many women realising the cause.

At Boots Opticians, we believe your eyes deserve the same care as the rest of your health. That's why we've made a change. Every Boots Opticians eye test for adults now includes a dry eye evaluation as standard.

Whether you book in for Boots Opticians' Ultimate Eye Test, which includes two eye scans (OCT and Optomap) for the most comprehensive view of your eye health, or our Essential Eye Test, every adult – including those navigating perimenopause or menopause – will be assessed for dry eyes. ‘Dry eye is incredibly common, affecting around 33%* of the UK population,' says Kyla Black, Director of Optical Practice.

'By including this evaluation in every eye test, we can identify issues earlier and give tailored advice, whether that's recommending products such as eye drops or a heat mask to be used at home to manage the symptoms, or an in-store treatment like Zest, followed by products to manage the symptoms at home.’

Zest, launching at Boots Opticians this autumn, is a new cleansing treatment designed to soothe and refresh dry eyes. It's just one solution that our Optometrists and Contact Lens Opticians can recommend if your dry eye evaluation shows that you need extra support.

Boots Opticians is committed to the needs of women in midlife and beyond. So book your next eye test with Boots Opticians – because your eye health matters at every stage of life.

*Aston dry eye study, 2023

What is Zest?

Zest (short for Zocular Eyelid System Treatment) is an advanced
in-store treatment designed to deeply cleanse and calm eyelids.
It uses a patented okra complex with anti-inflammatory properties to cleanse the eye and lift away dirt and flaky skin.
It's a gentle and effective cleansing treatment, so there's no need for topical anaesthetic.
Zest is quick and convenient, taking just 20 minutes in Boots Opticians stores.
It helps relieve dry eye discomfort, leaving eyes feeling refreshed.
Simply ask your Boots optometrist about adding Zest to your personalised plan after your dry eye evaluation.

What is Zest?

Zest (short for Zocular Eyelid System Treatment) is an advanced in-store treatment designed to deeply cleanse and calm eyelids.
It uses a patented okra complex with anti-inflammatory properties to cleanse the eye and lift away dirt and flaky skin.
It's a gentle and effective cleansing treatment, so there's no need for topical anaesthetic.
Zest is quick and convenient, taking just 20 minutes in Boots Opticians stores.
It helps relieve dry eye discomfort, leaving eyes feeling refreshed.
Simply ask your Boots optometrist about adding Zest to your personalised plan after your dry eye evaluation.