Hormone therapy can effectively ease menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats, but the article says it is not automatically right for everyone. Renewed discussion follows a change in US drug warnings and growing recognition that risks differ substantially by age, timing and an individual’s health history.

The influential 2002 Women’s Health Initiative findings raised concerns about heart disease, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer, particularly among older participants. Later analyses suggest that for many women under 60 or within 10 years of menopause, benefits for symptom relief may outweigh risks; however, it is not recommended solely to prevent heart disease or ageing-related conditions. Treatment type also matters: people with a uterus generally need progesterone alongside oestrogen, and personal risks such as previous cancer, clotting or cardiovascular disease should guide a clinician-led decision.