Menopause Treatment Options

Theoretically,? menopause is not a disease.? Therefore, there is no cure.? Many women opt to forgo any treatment at all, and simply tolerate many of the?symptoms associated with this normal transition. ?However, for those women whose symptoms are so severe as to interfere with their quality of life, there are many options at their disposal.

Remedies may be implemented by the woman herself for?the?conditions?associated with menopause.? For example,

Hot flashes: Several nonprescription treatments are available, and lifestyle choices can help.

• Many women feel that regular aerobic exercise can help reduce hot flashes


• Foods that may trigger hot flashes, such as spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol, should be avoided.

Heart disease: A low-fat, low-cholesterol diet helps to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Weight gain: Regular exercise is helpful in controlling weight.

Osteoporosis: Adequate calcium intake and weight-bearing exercise are important. Strength training (lifting weights or using exercise bands in resistance training) can strengthen bones.

Certain medications are beneficial in reducing many of the signs and symptoms of menopause.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

• estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progestin


• treats hot flashes


• reduce fracture risk by building bone mass


• improve cholesterol levels


• decrease vaginal dryness


• estrogen and progestin combination associated with increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and breast cancer


• estrogen alone associated with increased risk of endometrial cancer


• increased risk of gallstones and blood clots

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

• normally used for depression and anxiety


• effective in reducing hot flashes

Clonidine (Catapres)

• used to lower blood pressure


• effective in reducing hot flashes

Gabapentin (Neurontin)

• primarily used for treating seizures


• used to treat hot flashes

Megestrol (Megace)

• short-term relief of hot flashes


• not recommended as first-line drug

Medroxyprogesterone (Depo-Provera)

• injectable


• sometimes effective in treating hot flashes


• may cause weight gain and bone loss

Several medication options are available for the treatment of osteoporosis during menopause.? They include:

• Aldenodrate (Fosamax)


• Raloxifene (Evista)


• Calcitonin (Calcimar or Miacalcin)

There are?natural remedies?on the market which report to reduce hot flashes.? However, for many, the?clinical studies are conflicting and inconclusive.? These include:

Black Cohosh

• herbal supplement


• German studies recommend limiting its use to six months or less


• not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration


• side effects include nausea, vomiting,? dizziness, visual problems, slow heart beat, and excessive sweating

Plant Estrogens (Phytoestrogens)

• soy is an example


• safety of soy in women with breast cancer not established

Other Herbal Preparations -?avoid or take under supervision of health care provider

• dong quai


• red clover


• chaste-berry


• yam cream


• Chinese medicinal herbs


• evening primrose oil

There are several treatment options available to help alleviate the symptoms of menopause.? These treatments should be individualized for each patient.? As?many of these?methods are?not without risk, they should be implemented and monitored?under the guidance of a physician.