NICE opens consultation on draft menopause guideline.
The guideline will cover the diagnosis and management of menopause.This includes when blood tests or imaging can help diagnosing menopause and when treatments like hormone replacement therapy or other therapies should be offered.
Professor Mark Baker, centre for clinical practice director at NICE, said: 'The effects of menopause are often misunderstood and underestimated – it can result in problems ranging from hot flushes to brittle bones, joint stiffness and cardiovascular disease.
'When women seek medical hep for their symptoms, there is considerable variation in what is offered to them. So NICE is pleased to be developing the first guidelines for the NHS on diagnosing and managing menopause, to help improve the lives of women affected by it.'
Draft recommendations include which tests can be used to diagnose menopause, and holistic, individualised care that takes into account the woman's symptoms and preferences. The draft guideline also highlights that clinicians should give support and advice to women who are likely to go through menopause as a result of medical or surgical treatment, including women with cancer, at high-risk of hormone dependent cancer or having gynaecological survey.
Both drug and non-drug treatments are covered to help women and clinicians find the right treatment. This includes draft recommendations based on the benefits and risks of treatment with HRT. Other treatments considered in the guidelines is cognitive behavioural therapy for the alleviation of low mood and anxiety.
NICE welcomes comments from stakeholders and the consultation runs until 13 July.