Menopause is caused by a hormone deficiency; HRT replenishes the hormones your body is no longer making in sufficient quantities. The three main sex hormones that dramatically reduce at the time of the menopause are oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. 

Oestrogen HRT will compensate for the plummeting levels of the oestrogen hormone, which is a lubricant for blood vessels, vital for building new bone, cognitive function and for producing collagen (the scaffolding of skin). Progesterone will protect the lining of the womb against endometrial cancer. Testosterone gel is often prescribed as an add-on to HRT to help restore sex drive, sexual arousal, and ability to orgasm, but also to help with joint pains, memory, and fatigue, particularly in women who have had a surgical menopause after hysterectomy. 

“HRT is available on NHS GP prescription to treat menopausal symptoms, although this does not include testosterone gel routinely, as it is not licensed for use in women, and only prescribed privately,” said Dr Arif.