Signs You May Need Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Not every woman experiencing the menopause chooses Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), and not every woman needs to. But how do you know when your symptoms are more than just a rough patch? How do you tell if your body’s hormonal decline is starting to affect your quality of life?
At Omniya Clinic in London, we speak to women every day who say: “I just don’t feel like myself anymore.” If that sounds familiar, this guide is for you.
HRT is about restoring balance, not reversing age, but improving function. Below, we’ll explore the key signs you might benefit from HRT, and when it’s worth having a proper consultation. For a detailed overview, visit our main HRT treatment page.
How Do You Know If You Need HRT?
Every woman’s menopause experience is different, but there are common patterns that may indicate your hormones are no longer supporting your body effectively. These are some of the most frequently overlooked signs that HRT could help.
1. Persistent Low Mood or Anxiety
If you've always felt emotionally balanced but now find yourself unusually tearful, anxious, or withdrawn, this could be linked to falling oestrogen and progesterone levels. Hormonal dips affect brain chemistry and sleep, leading to irritability and mental fatigue. Low mood during menopause is not just psychological, it’s physiological. HRT may help stabilise these mood changes and restore emotional clarity.
2. Low Libido or Intimacy Issues
Many women notice a decline in sex drive as one of the first signs of hormonal imbalance. This may be linked to testosterone levels, which naturally decline with age. Vaginal dryness, discomfort during intimacy, and a general loss of desire are all symptoms that can be improved through HRT. Learn more about low libido in menopause.
3. Hot Flushes, Night Sweats & Sleep Disruption
One of the classic signs of menopause is sudden, intense heat - often followed by sleep issues. If you're waking up drenched or struggling to sleep through the night, it’s worth discussing with a specialist. These symptoms often respond well to HRT, helping regulate body temperature and improve rest.
4. Brain Fog and Forgetfulness
Feel like you’re constantly forgetting why you walked into the room? Oestrogen plays a critical role in memory, focus and cognition. When levels drop, many women report “brain fog”, difficulty concentrating or recalling everyday words. This can feel unsettling but is often reversible with the right hormonal support.
5. Muscle Aches and Joint Stiffness
Hormones help support muscle tone and joint flexibility. As oestrogen declines, aches and stiffness become more common, especially in the morning. If everyday activities like walking or lifting feel harder than usual, this could be a sign your body isn’t recovering as efficiently due to hormonal depletion.
6. Headaches or Heart Palpitations
Some women notice an increase in hormonal headaches or irregular heart rhythms during menopause. While other causes should be ruled out, fluctuating oestrogen is known to trigger migraines and palpitations. HRT may help reduce these occurrences if linked to hormonal imbalance.
What Are the Symptoms of Low Oestrogen?
Low oestrogen is typically behind many menopause symptoms, including:
- Dry skin or thinning hair
- Vaginal dryness or itching
- Urinary urgency or frequency
- Increased belly fat
- Reduced bone density or osteoporosis
If you're noticing two or more of these changes and they're interfering with your quality of life, it may be time to consider HRT.
How Do I Decide If HRT Is Right for Me?
Some women feel strongly about navigating menopause naturally, and that’s perfectly valid. But for others, symptoms become disruptive enough to affect work, relationships or health. HRT isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but it can be transformative when personalised to your needs.
Our HRT programme at Omniya is led by experienced medical professionals. We take the time to understand your goals, history and preferences, and explore all suitable options, including bioidentical hormone therapy where appropriate.
Book a Consultation with an HRT Specialist
You don’t have to figure this out alone. If you suspect HRT could help - or simply want clarity - the first step is a consultation with one of our hormone experts in London. We’ll conduct thorough blood testing, explore your symptoms, and guide you through the options.
Book your consultation today and start a conversation about feeling like yourself again.
