| On this page: What are your Options? Individualised Treatment Plans Lifestyle as Treatment Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Alternatives to HRT References |
What are your Options?
Surgical menopause can be managed through two types of treatment:
The symptoms and long-term health risks linked to sudden hormone loss can be overwhelming, but support and solutions are available.
Individualised Treatment Plans
No two women experience surgical menopause the same way. That’s why treatment should always be individualised to your unique needs, goals, and medical history.
Even with the right treatment, some symptoms may linger, and many women explore complementary therapies to improve their quality of life.
Think of treatment like a prosthetic limb: it can restore function and help you move forward-but it doesn’t completely replace what was lost.
Lifestyle as Treatment
Surgical menopause is also a chance to prioritise your health long-term. Compared to natural menopause, women in surgical menopause may need to be more proactive to protect their bone, heart, and brain health.
A holistic approach – addressing physical, emotional, and social wellbeing – is key and involves the primary prevention of chronic diseases through:
- Healthy eating and active lifestyle
- Preventive immunisations
- Timely and appropriate screening for chronic diseases and cancers
- Avoiding harmful habits like smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption
- Maintaining social connections
- Prioritising mental well-being
For more detail, head out to our Long-Term Health section.
| Patience is Part of the Process Finding the right combination of treatments can take time. Whether you use HRT, alternatives, or a mix of both, it’s normal to need a few adjustments before things feel right. |
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
HRT (also called Menopausal Hormone Therapy or MHT) replaces the key hormones your ovaries once produced – mainly estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Early use of HRT has been shown to:
- Reduce hot flushes and genitourinary symptoms
- Prevent osteoporosis and fractures
- Possibly lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and early death
- Potentially reduce cognitive decline (though more research is needed)
Still, HRT is not an exact match for natural hormones, and more research is needed to fine-tune treatment. Some women will continue to experience symptoms even on HRT, which is why lifestyle changes remain essential.
In New Zealand, HRT is usually recommended at least until age 51 (the average age of natural menopause), but many women choose to continue beyond this if the benefits still outweigh the risks.
What you’ll find in this section:
- Types of HRT: systemic vs local
- Which products are funded in NZ (fully, partially, or not)
- How to combine treatments
- Side effects and risks
- Insights from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study
- What the “black box” warning means
Alternatives to HRT
Not everyone can – or wants to – use hormones. The good news: there are effective non-hormonal options to manage symptoms and support long-term health. These include:
- Prescription medications (for hot flushes, bone health, etc.)
- Herbal or natural remedies
- Vitamins and minerals
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Clinical hypnosis and mind-body therapies
Just like HRT, these approaches work best when paired with healthy lifestyle changes. And they can also be used alongside HRT to build a comprehensive care plan.
References
The Menopause Society, formerly known as the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Position Statement (2022) on Hormone Therapy
The Menopause Society, formerly known as the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Position Statement (2023) on Non Hormone Therapy
Panay, N., Ang, S. B., Cheshire, R., Goldstein, S. R., Maki, P., & Nappi, R. E. (2024). Menopause and MHT in 2024: addressing the key controversies – an International Menopause Society White Paper. Climacteric, 27(5), 441–457.
[Updated: 18 July 2025]
Surgical Menopause New Zealand Trust 