Menopausal Symptoms

3 medicines

Menopausal symptoms arise as oestrogen levels fall in midlife, causing hot flushes, sleep disruption, mood changes, and vaginal dryness.

Estrace

Estradiol

1/2mg

Estrace is a womens health medication containing Estradiol, available as 1/2mg tablets.

from $0.94 / tablet View

Premarin®

Conjugated oestrogens

0.625mg

Premarin® is a womens health medication containing Conjugated oestrogens, available as 0.625mg tablets.

from $2.99 / tablet View

Tibofem

Estradiol

2.5mg

Tibofem is a womens health medication containing Estradiol, available as 2.5mg tablets.

from $3.12 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Menopause is when periods stop permanently, typically between ages 45 and 55; the years leading up to it, perimenopause, bring a gradual fall in oestrogen.
  • Common symptoms include hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbance, mood changes, vaginal dryness, and urinary changes; bone density also begins to decline as oestrogen falls.
  • Hormone therapy, using medicines such as estradiol or conjugated oestrogens, is the most studied treatment and reduces hot flushes, improves sleep, and relieves vaginal symptoms.
  • Women who still have a uterus need a progestogen alongside oestrogen, included in combined hormone products, to protect the uterine lining.

What the transition feels like

Hot flushes and night sweats are the most recognised signs: sudden waves of heat, often followed by chills and flushing of the face and chest. Sleep disturbance frequently follows, and poor sleep compounds mood changes, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Vaginal dryness and urinary changes are also common but less often reported. Bone density begins to decline as oestrogen falls, which matters more in the longer term.

Hormone therapy

The most studied approach to managing menopausal symptoms is hormone therapy, which replaces some of the oestrogen the body no longer produces. Options include estradiol, a bioidentical form of oestrogen, and conjugated oestrogens, derived from a blend of oestrogen compounds. Both reduce hot flushes, improve sleep, and relieve vaginal symptoms. The women's health range lists the available preparations and their forms (tablets, patches, gels).

Women who still have a uterus need a progestogen alongside oestrogen to protect the uterine lining; those preparations are included in combined hormone products. A doctor can advise on the most suitable form based on personal health history.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor if symptoms disrupt daily life, sleep, or mood, or before starting hormone therapy, so treatment can be matched to your health history and any risk factors.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.