BMS PPMC Resources Toolkit
What are the benefits and risks of HRT?
The resources on this page are evidence-based, peer reviewed and focus on addressing the key question What are the benefits and risks of HRT?
BMS TV
BMS TV is a series of short videos covering some of the key topics in menopause care by leading specialists in their field.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Kathy Abernethy, Director of The Menopause Course, and Trustee – British Menopause Society, answers these FAQs: What is HRT? What are the types of HRT? Which preparation should I take? Is there a difference? How long could I take it for? If a patient had a hysterectomy would her HRT intake be different? What are the side effects? What are benefits of HRT? What are the risks of HRT?
Practical prescribing
Miss Lynne Robinson, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Birmingham Women’s Hospital, and Past Member – BMS medical advisory council, answers these FAQs: What are the hormones included in HRT? What is oestrogen used for in HRT? How can oestrogen be taken? Should I take oestrogen by tablet, gel or patch? What is the difference? Do I need to take progestogen with HRT? How should I take it? Is there an advantage in taking natural (micronised) progesterone? Could the Mirena IUS be used as part of HRT?
Bioidentical hormones
Mr Haitham Hamoda, Consultant Gynaecologist, King’s College Hospital, and Trustee – British Menopause Society, answers these FAQs: What are bioidentical hormones? What is the difference between compounded bioidentical hormones and conventionally prescribed HRT? Are there benefits with regulated bioidentical hormones? Can I get bioidentical / body similar hormone preparations on the NHS?
Progestogens
Mr Haitham Hamoda, Consultant Gynaecologist, King’s College Hospital, and Trustee – British Menopause Society, answers these FAQs: Why do you need to take progestogen with HRT? Are all progestogens used for the purpose of systemic HRT similar in the way they work and in their risk profiles? Can progestogens be administered vaginally or by other non-oral ways? Can progesterone only contraceptive pills be used as an equivalent alternative for the purpose of HRT? Do women on high doses of estrogen require a proportionate increase in the progestogen dose?
Testosterone explained
Prof Nick Panay, Consultant Gynaecologist, Imperial College and Chelsea and Westminster Hospitals London, President – International Menopause Society and Member – BMS medical advisory council, answers these FAQs: What is testosterone and what is its role in women? Is testosterone replacement effective in managing menopausal symptoms? What symptoms does it help with? Is testosterone replacement safe? Are there side effects with testosterone replacement? How long could it be taken for? How should testosterone therapy be monitored in women? How is testosterone replacement given? What are the currently available options in the UK?
HRT and bleeding
Dr Paula Briggs, Consultant in Sexual & Reproductive Health, Liverpool Women’s Hospital and Chairman – British Menopause Society, answers these FAQs: What are the bleeding patterns that could be expected with HRT? I am taking a cyclical HRT preparation that is giving me a monthly bleed. Can I change to a non-bleed preparation? Is bleeding in the first few months of starting HRT a cause for concern? When does this need to be investigated? What are the causes of irregular bleeding in women on HRT? What investigations need to be carried out if I have ongoing irregular bleeding on HRT? Do I need to stop HRT or change how I take it if I have irregular bleeding on HRT?
BMS Tools for Clinicians
A range of resources developed for healthcare professionals to summarise NICE guidance and to clarify some of the most common myths and misconceptions of menopause.
HRT Guide
HRT – Practical Prescribing
HRT preparations and equivalent alternatives
Measurement of serum estradiol in the menopause transition
Testosterone replacement in menopause
Progestogens and endometrial protection
HRT after myocardial infarction
Use of incretin-based therapies in women using HRT
BMS Consensus Statements
BMS consensus statements, prepared by specialists from the medical advisory council, address key disorders and controversial topics relating to menopause and post reproductive health. The consensus statements are evidence-based, comprehensively referenced and peer reviewed.
BMS Guidelines
BMS guidelines, prepared by the BMS medical advisory council in partnership with other specialist organisations and Royal Colleges, address key disorders and controversial topics relating to menopause and post reproductive health. The guidelines are evidence-based, comprehensively referenced and peer reviewed.
Other resources
Menopause Matters decision tree
Menopause Matters has developed an interactive flow chart to facilitate treatment decisions.
Information for women is available on the Women’s Health Concern website.