NICE Recommends Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Menopause Symptoms

New guidance suggests talking therapy as an alternative or addition to hormone replacement therapy, sparking debate among experts and patients.

New draft guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) suggests that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) should be offered to women experiencing problematic menopause symptoms, either in addition to or instead of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
The guidance, the first update since 2015, aims to provide women with more treatment options for managing menopause symptoms while outlining the risks and benefits of HRT.
The recommendation of CBT has been met with criticism, with some experts and patients arguing that menopause is a physical condition caused by hormonal changes, and thus cannot be effectively treated with a talking therapy designed to change thought patterns.
Others have welcomed the inclusion of CBT in the guidance, suggesting that it could help women manage the distress caused by symptoms such as hot flushes, mood changes, and sleep problems.
The draft guidance is open for public consultation until January 5, 2024.