Non HRT treatments - part 2

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Non-HRT treatments for vaginal dryness

You can buy vaginal lubricants and vaginal moisturizers from pharmacies which can help ease vaginal dryness. Some women only notice the dryness when they have sex. In this situation, if you place a small dose of lubricant inside the vagina before having sex it will usually help.

(Note: you may not be aware that there are oestrogen creams which ease the vaginal symptoms of the menopause. Strictly speaking, they are a form of HRT, but have less risk than taking HRT tablets. See separate leaflet called 'Atrophic Vaginitis' for more detail.)

Non-HRT treatments for preventing osteoporosis

In the past, HRT was heavily marketed as a preventer of osteoporosis. The results of the recent large trials of HRT showed that the protective effect of HRT on bones is actually quite small. You can probably do more to prevent osteoporosis by:

Doing regular weight-bearing exercise. This means exercise such as brisk walking, aerobics, dancing, running, etc. For older people, a regular walk is a good start. Exercise helps because the pulling and tugging on the bones by the muscles helps to stimulate bone-making cells and strengthens the bones.
Eating a diet that includes foods rich in calcium and vitamin D. If you eat 1000 mg of calcium each day you have a reduced risk of hip fractures.

Ask your practice nurse for advice about diet. Briefly, you can eat 1000 mg calcium most easily by:

drinking a pint of milk a day, plus
eating 60 g (2 oz) hard cheese such as Cheddar or Edam, or one pot of yoghurt (125 g), or 60 g of sardines.
White bread, and calcium fortified soya milk are also good sources of calcium.
Taking dietary supplements of calcium and/or vitamin D tablets if you do not get enough in your diet and you are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis. A dietary supplement of vitamin D is recommended for all people over the age of 65.
Stopping smoking if you smoke.
Cut down on alcohol if you drink heavily.

If you develop osteoporosis, there are medicines which can help to restore some lost bone, and help to prevent further bone loss. See separate leaflet called 'Osteoporosis' for more detail.