PREVIEW

Expert debunks common menopause myths. October is Menopause Awareness Month, so Consultant Gynaecologist Miss Smita Sinha, a leading specialist in women's health and founder of the award-winning Serenity Women's Clinic has addressed some of the myths surrounding menopause. HRT delays menopause It is often thought that hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a treatment that replaces, the body's levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which fall when a woman stops having periods, can delay the onset of menopause. ”HRT does not stop or delay menopause. While it can ease symptoms by supplementing hormones, your body continues its natural process of fluctuating and declining hormone levels in the background.” Rather than interfering with the biological timeline of menopause, HRT can help women manage their symptoms, which may include mood swings, sleep disturbances or hot flushes. You can't start HRT if you're still having your period Contrary to popular belief, you can start HRT if you are still having your period. ”Many women believe they cannot start HRT if they are still having periods, but that's simply not true. HRT can be safely started and there are different types of regimes that will work during this time that can be initiated by your healthcare provider.” HRT causes weight gain Many people believe that HRT can cause weight gain, but there is "no solid evidence" to support this. ”There is no solid evidence that HRT directly causes weight gain.” "Some women may experience temporary fluid retention, but this usually settles over time. Menopause itself can lead to weight changes, as declining oestrogen levels affect muscle mass and fat distribution.” You can't have HRT if you have a family history of blood clots HRT need not be ruled out if you have a family history of blood clots, but you should talk to a specialist. ”Transdermal HRT, such as patches or gels, are typically recommended for women with a history of blood clots or high blood pressure. Specialist advice may be required, but it does not mean HRT is off the table.” Miss Sinha concludes by encouraging women going through menopause to be “confident" "It's so important that women feel confident to talk about their symptoms and the options available to them. Menopause is a natural part of life, but it doesn't have to be a time of confusion and misinformation.”
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