Higher awareness of the benefits of menopause hormone therapy (MHT) has led to rising demand for treatment – so much so that manufacturers can’t keep up and New Zealand’s drug-funding agency Pharmac had to temporarily ration supplies.
Most women today are prescribed body-identical hormones, including transdermal estradiol (patch or gel) and progesterone capsules, to treat menopause symptoms including hot flushes or night sweats. Estrogen relieves symptoms, while progesterone protects the lining of the uterus and may have benefits for sleep.
