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Menopause - Management
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What should I do if there is poor symptom control?
- Review the woman:
- Check that the hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been used as recommended for at least 3 months to ensure full effect.
- Check that patches are adherent.
- Review the woman's expectations. HRT can help symptoms due to oestrogen deficiency but is not an answer to all problems.
- Consider an alternative diagnosis. See Other causes of the symptoms.
- Treatment options include:
- Increasing the oestrogen dose.
- Adding vaginal oestrogen if urogenital symptoms are not controlled.
- Switching from oral to a non-oral route (e.g. if absorption is poor owing to a bowel disorder or if a drug interaction is present).
- Switching delivery system if patch adhesion is poor.
In depth
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