Each day, an estimated 6,000 women reach menopause—the time in a woman’s life when the ovaries stop producing eggs and menstrual periods stop. Most women experience menopause-related symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. For some, these symptoms can be annoying and uncomfortable, but for others, menopausal changes severely affect quality of life, making it hard to focus on much else.

A study of almost 600 patients aged over 50 found the anti-inflammatory creams worked as well as the oral versions and had fewer side-effects.

And although they cost more initially, topical treatments may save the NHS money in the long run, the Queen Mary University of London researchers said...