NICE Recommends Hormone Replacement Therapy as Primary Menopause Treatment

New guidelines emphasize HRT over cognitive behavioral therapy for managing menopause symptoms.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is now recommended as the first-line treatment for menopause symptoms like hot flushes, insomnia, and low mood.
Recent guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have clarified that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) should be considered an adjunct to HRT, rather than an alternative.
Experts highlight that while HRT carries some risks, such as a slight increase in breast cancer risk, the benefits for heart, bone, and cognitive health often outweigh these concerns for many women.
Despite the benefits of HRT, experts advise that it should not replace healthy lifestyle choices like proper nutrition, regular exercise, and stress management.
The updated guidelines have been influenced by feedback and aim to provide clearer information for women to make informed decisions about their menopause treatment options.