Glossary of Terms

Anxiety is a common symptom during the perimenopause and menopause.

It can happen to women who have not experienced any anxiety in their past lives but equally it can worsen pre-existing anxiety. It can take the shape of anxiety of particular events such as motorway driving or health anxiety or can be more generalised.

It can be helped with HRT or with specific targeted psychological therapies.

These are unregulated and not recommended by the British Menopause Society. The Gold Standard as recommended by the BMS are Body Identical Hormone therapy.

Black cohosh (Actaea racemose) is a woodland herb native to North America. The root is used as medicine and is often used for estrogen-related conditions.

Bleeding issues are very common in the perimenopause and in HRT regimes.

Bleeding can be increased in heaviness or periods can become erratic and this can begin once an HRT regime has begun.

It is always important to discuss with your doctor any bleeding that you perceive to be abnormal.

This is an oestrogen gel used to the vagina and or vulva for help with symptoms of oestrogen deficiency.

Body identical HRT has the same chemical structure as the hormones in your body. That means that when you take it, you’re literally topping up your own hormones.

Body identical HRT is regulated medication that can be prescribed on the NHS and privately.

Bone density decreases during the perimenopause and menopause and this can lead to a condition called osteoporosis.

Using HRT as well as lifestyle factors can keep bone density optimal. There are other treatments such as Bisphosphonates which can also help and this should be discussed with your doctor.

This is a breast cancer mutation gene which runs in families.

Patients who have a strong family history of breast cancer can request additional genetic studies which can identify whether this mutation is present and can then have a treatment either prophylactic or treatment tailored to their status.

This is always a worry particularly with a personal history of breast cancer and are often at more of a loss with menopause and perimenopause due to worsening symptoms as part of treatment and the fact that they are often told they cannot use HRT.

This is always a more complex conversation but there are treatments that are available for breast cancer sufferers.

A family history of breast cancer also plays a part but the truth is most women with a strong family of breast cancer can still have HRT.

NHS breast screening occurs over the age of 50 with mammograms offered intervals of every three years. It is a useful tool for detecting very early breast cancer that cannot be detected clinically.

This is the Progesterone only pill or POP.

A medication sometimes used for treatment of hot flushes when HRT cant be used.

A clot usually in the lower legs . Taking oral oestrogens can increase the risk of this.

A Dexa scan is bone scan which can detect early osteoporosis. If your doctor thinks that you are at risk then they may suggest that you have one.

This is a hormone precursor that is sometimes used in bioidentical hormone clinics and is also used occasionally vaginally for vaginal atrophy.

A menopause that occurs between the ages of 40–45.

This is an oral HRT.

Sometimes for heavy, persistent bleeding something called an endometrial ablation is performed which is where the lining of the endometrium is ablated causing it to very much thin and become non-functioning.

This is where the cells in the endometrium start to change. This can occur naturally and is a precursor for endometrial carcinoma. It can also occur where unopposed oestrogen is given without the use of progesterone.

This is a condition where the endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus and can cause problems within the abdomen and pelvis typically.

This is an oestrogen hormone patch.

This is an oestrogen ring used In the vagina for help with symptoms of oestrogen deficiency.

A supplement sometimes used for breast tenderness.

This is an oestrogen hormone patch.

A clotting abnormality.

Follicle stimulating Hormone, a hormone produced by the brain which stimulates the ovaries to work.

We use this equation as one of the parameters as well as symptoms to help ascertain if a woman may benefit from testosterone replacement.

A medication sometimes used for menopause management when HRT cannot be used.

This is the abbreviation for Hormone Replacement Therapy.

Sometimes used to deliver high doses of HRT is fitted under the skin.

This is an oestrogen pessary inserted into the vagina for help with symptoms of oestrogen deficiency.

This is an oral HRT.

This is a spray oestrogen replacement that is sprayed onto the arms or legs.

Also known as Sex Drive.

Defined as 1 year since a woman’s last period.

The preferred progesterone in HRT.

A coil containing a progestogen. It can be used in HRT as it thins the lining of the womb and can be used as endometrial protection.

Waking in the night very sweaty.

A synthetic progesterone that is good for bleeding control.

This is the main oestrogen we replace.

This is a gel hormones replacement for oestrogen rubbed onto the skin of arms or legs.

This is an oestrogen cream used to the vagina and or vulva for help with symptoms of oestrogen deficiency.

Heart fluttering.

The lead up to the menopause where symptoms can begin.

This is an oral HRT.

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), previously known as premature ovarian failure, happens when a woman’s ovaries stop working normally before she is 40.

It is an important diagnosis to make as women require additional hormone support to ensure bone and cardiovascular health.

This is an oral HRT.

This is a female hormone used in HRT to protect the lining of the womb.

This is a synthetic progesterone.

A clotting abnormality.

A combined oral contraceptive pill.

Red clover is a wild flowering plant belonging to the same family as peas and beans. It’s been widely used in traditional medicine as a remedy for menopause symptoms.

A supplement sometimes used for breast tenderness.

A herbal supplement sometimes used for mood symptoms.

The state which follows removal of ovaries at surgery.

A medication used in breast cancer which blocks oestrogen.

This is a male testosterone replacement gel that can be used off license in women.

This is a male testosterone replacement gel that can be used off license in women.

This is a female hormone which declines between the ages of 20 and 40. It plays a role libido. Anecdotally there is possible evidence of it’s role in cognitive symptoms energy and well being but this is still being explored.

Oestrogen delivered via the skin.

This is an oestrogen pessary used to the vagina and or vulva for help with symptoms of oestrogen deficiency.

Vaginal atrophy is thinning, drying and inflammation of the vaginal walls that may occur when your body has less estrogen. Vaginal atrophy occurs most often after menopause.

This is an oestrogen pessary inserted into the vagina for relief with symptoms of oestrogen deficiency.

Womens Heath Initiative, a study which linked HRT to health risks which we now understand is not accurate

A combined oral contraceptive pill

This is an oral HRT