During the menopause your ovaries stop producing as much oestrogen as they used to and this is what leads to the symptoms you experience.

HRT contains a natural, low dose, oestrogen which effectively replaces the oestrogen your body is no longer making and, as a result the symptoms diminish.

It is normally taken as a daily tablet although it can be applied as a gel, patch, vaginal tablet, pessary, ring or implant.

In addition, for those of us who haven’t had a hysterectomy, progestogen is added which reduces the risk of oestrogen causing the lining of the womb to thicken and reduces the risk of cancer of the womb.