Talk therapy is now recommended by health authorities to combat menopause.
But regulators are accused of risking “confusion” by proposing the treatment to manage symptoms in trans men and non-binary people, as well as women.
Bosses at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) said GPs should recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as an option to reduce hot flashes and night sweats, signs of depression and sleep problems.
It is often used to treat psychological problems and should be an option in addition to or as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy, Nice said.
Doctors should also explain the benefits and risks of HRT, which can vary depending on factors such as the patient’s age and medical history, the guidelines recommend.
Regulators have been accused of risking “confusion” by suggesting the treatment would ease symptoms in trans men and non-binary people, as well as women
But the drugs regulator was accused of unease after it included both women and trans men and “non-binary people registered as female at birth”.
Campaigners claim that menopause is a biological phenomenon that can only affect women and that the guidelines “may lead to confusion”.
Karen Varley, founder of Conservatives For Women, said: “No doubt they think they are friendly and ‘inclusive’, but creating lists of irrelevant identities can confuse and dilute what should be a clear message about health; It depends on your gender.
“Only women go through menopause, and denying you’re a woman doesn’t change that.”
Menopause is the time when a woman stops menstruating and is a natural part of aging. It usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 and is manifested, among other things, by changes in the menstrual cycle, mood swings, hot flashes and sleep disturbances.
Nice said evidence supporting the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on hot flashes and night sweats reduces the frequency and severity of symptoms, as well as the extent to which women, trans men and non-binary people registered at birth are affected.
Campaigners claim menopause is a biological phenomenon that can only affect women and the guidelines will cause confusion.
Professor Gillian Baird, chair of the Menopause Guidelines Committee, said: “This update provides important evidence-based information to help both women and healthcare providers discuss the best treatment to manage their symptoms.”
“It gives women more choice and the ability to make informed decisions for their personal circumstances.”
But the family doctor and menopause specialist dr. Louise Newson described the guidelines as “disappointing”.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
