Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) in Singapore
Menopause Relief, Tailored to Your Health
Conveniently located in Orchard, Tanjong Pagar, Jurong East & Novena
Medically Reviewed By: Dr Jana Lim, Board-Accredited Family Physician
Board-Accredited Family Physician | MBChB, MMed (FM)
MBChB, MMed (FM) | Last updated:
What Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)?
Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is a prescription treatment that replaces oestrogen when your ovaries make less of it during menopause. It is the newer name for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in women.
The decline in oestrogen and progesterone levels during menopause can cause symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes and vaginal dryness, which can disturb your sleep, emotional well-being and sex life.
Menopause is typically confirmed after 12 consecutive months without a period. In Singapore, it happens at around 49 years of age on average, and more than half of midlife women have moderate to severe symptoms, for which MHT is usually considered.
How Does Menopausal Hormone Therapy Work?
Menopausal hormone therapy works by supplying the oestrogen the body makes less of after menopause, which then acts on the same tissues as the body's own oestrogen.
Oestrogen acts on many parts of the body, including the area of the brain that controls body temperature and the tissues of the vagina and bladder. Lower oestrogen levels make this temperature control less stable, which can trigger hot flushes, and leave the vaginal tissues thinner and drier. MHT restores oestrogen to these tissues, which can ease hot flushes and vaginal dryness.
Oestrogen also slows the breakdown of old bone, which is why bone loss increases after menopause and why MHT can slow it.
What Are the Benefits of Menopausal Hormone Therapy?
The main benefit of menopausal hormone therapy is relief from menopause symptoms, and it can also help protect your bones.
MHT may help with:
- Hot flushes and night sweats – these often become less frequent and less intense
- Sleep and mood – sleep may improve as night sweats ease, and mood changes linked to lower oestrogen may lessen
- Vaginal and urinary symptoms – dryness, pain during sex, an urgent need to pass urine and repeated urinary tract infections may ease, a group of symptoms called genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM)
- Bone strength – slower bone loss can lower the risk of fractures from osteoporosis (a condition in which bones become thin and break more easily)
- Early menopause – if menopause comes early, MHT may help protect against long-term health risks linked to a longer period of low oestrogen
Types of Menopausal Hormone Therapy
Menopausal hormone therapy comes in systemic types, which act throughout the body, and a vaginal type, which acts only in and around the vagina.
Systemic MHT treats symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and mood changes, and is taken as hormone tablets (pills), or as gels, patches or sprays absorbed through the skin. One systemic option, tibolone, is a single tablet with effects similar to oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
The type that suits you depends mainly on your symptoms, your medical history and whether you have had a hysterectomy.
Combined MHT (Oestrogen and Progestogen)
Combined MHT pairs oestrogen with a progestogen (progesterone, or a man-made hormone that acts like it), and it is usually prescribed if you still have your womb.
Oestrogen on its own can make the womb lining (endometrium) thicken, raising the risk of an overgrowth of the lining (endometrial hyperplasia) and womb cancer, so the progestogen is added to protect the lining.
Combined MHT may be given as oestrogen gel with progesterone tablets.
Oestrogen-Only MHT
Oestrogen-only MHT is usually prescribed after a hysterectomy (an operation to remove the womb), as a progestogen is not needed to protect the womb lining once the womb is removed. It eases menopause symptoms and helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Vaginal Oestrogen
Vaginal oestrogen is a tablet, cream or ring placed in the vagina to treat vaginal and urinary symptoms directly at the source, such as dryness, irritation and pain during sex.
Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
Bioidentical hormones are chemically identical to the hormones the body makes. They can be used in combined or oestrogen-only MHT as part of an individualised treatment plan.
Unsure whether MHT is suitable for you? Book a consultation, and our doctors can review your symptoms and medical history and talk you through the types of MHT.
WhatsApp UsWhat Are the Potential Side Effects of Menopausal Hormone Therapy?
The side effects of menopausal hormone therapy, or hormone replacement therapy for menopause, are usually mild and often settle within the first few months as your body adjusts. They may include:
- Breast tenderness
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Irregular vaginal bleeding
Some women notice less menopause-related weight gain after starting MHT, but results vary, as weight is also affected by diet, physical activity and ageing.
The benefits of MHT are more likely to outweigh the risks if you start before 60, or within about 10 years of menopause, and the balance also depends on the type, dose and form used. Some women take MHT for a few years and others for longer, with regular reviews to decide whether to continue.
Disclaimer: This is not a complete list of side effects. The information here does not replace professional medical advice, so discuss any concerns about side effects with your doctor.
Who Is Not Suitable for Menopausal Hormone Therapy?
Menopausal hormone therapy is usually not recommended if you have certain medical conditions, such as:
- A history of breast cancer, or another hormone-sensitive cancer such as womb (endometrial) cancer
- Current or past blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT, a clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg) or pulmonary embolism (a clot in the lungs)
- A history of stroke or coronary heart disease
- Active liver disease or gallbladder disease
- Vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor
A thorough medical assessment is needed before MHT is started.
Non-Hormonal Alternatives to MHT
Non-hormonal options may ease some menopause symptoms if MHT is not suitable for you, or if you prefer not to take hormones:
- Fezolinetant (Veoza) – a prescription medicine for hot flushes and night sweats
- Soy isoflavones – a soy-based supplement that may help relieve some menopause symptoms
- Vaginal moisturisers and lubricants – can help relieve vaginal dryness and discomfort
These options can ease symptoms for a time, but they do not address the underlying change in hormone levels.
"You do not have to manage menopause symptoms on your own. With MHT tailored to your health, many women find relief and a better quality of life."
Dr Jana Lim
What Is the Cost of Menopausal Hormone Therapy in Singapore?
At Singapore Women's Clinic, we provide menopausal hormone therapy, non-hormonal menopause treatments and hormone tests. Our prices are as follows:
| Treatment / Test | Price* |
|---|---|
| Consultation | $65.40 |
| Extended Consultation (Over 30 Minutes) | $98.10 |
| Menopausal Hormone Therapy | |
| Systemic MHT (Oral Tablets), Tibolone | $75.21 |
| Systemic MHT (Oral Tablets), Progesterone | $43.60 |
| Systemic MHT (Transdermal Oestrogen Gel) | $35.97 |
| Local Vaginal Oestrogen Therapy (Vaginal Tablet) | $70.85 |
| Non-Hormonal Options | |
| Prescription Medication (Oral Tablets): Fezolinetant (Veoza) | $136.85 |
| Supplement (Oral Capsules): Soy Isoflavones | $68.67 |
| Local Vaginal Moisturiser (Vaginal Pessary): Gynella Balance | $65.40 |
| Hormone & Deficiency Testing | |
| Estradiol / Oestrogen (E2) | $32.70 |
| Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) | $32.70 |
| Thyroid Function Test (TSH) | $32.70 |
| Vitamin D Deficiency Test | $130.80 |
| DEXA Bone Densitometry | $141.70 |
|
Female Acne / Weight Gain Screen**
Testosterone, Estradiol, Progesterone, TSH, Cortisol, FSH, Luteinising Hormone (LH), Prolactin, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEAS), Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG). May be recommended for those suspected of having hormonal acne.
Testosterone, Estradiol, Progesterone, TSH, Cortisol, FSH, Luteinising Hormone (LH), Prolactin, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEAS), Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG). May be recommended for those suspected of having hormonal acne.
|
$218 |
|
Hormonal Study
DHEAS, Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), SHBG, FSH, LH, E2
DHEAS, Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), SHBG, FSH, LH, E2
|
$196.20 |
|
Comprehensive Deficiency / Hair Loss Screen
Folate, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity, % Iron Saturation, Ferritin, Zinc, Magnesium, Free T4, TSH
Folate, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity, % Iron Saturation, Ferritin, Zinc, Magnesium, Free T4, TSH
|
$263.78 |
| Women's Wellness (Full Body Screening) | From $152 |
*All prices are NETT and inclusive of GST.
**Recommended to be done during days 2 to 5 of the menstrual cycle, between 8.30am and 10am, for accuracy.
Payment Options We Accept
If you are under 40 and your periods have stopped, this may be a sign of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), in which the ovaries stop working normally. Our doctors can check the cause of your missed periods, usually with hormone blood tests, and refer you to a specialist for ongoing hormone replacement if POI is confirmed.
Dr Jana Lim is certified in the International Menopause Society (IMS) IMPART Programme (Level 1), a structured training programme in menopause care and menopausal hormone therapy.
