Menopause Treatment

If you face symptoms that affect the quality of your life, a medical professional may be able to help. Some of the available treatment options are:

Medical Treatments for Menopause

Clonidine: generally used for the treatment of high blood pressure, is prescribed in lower doses to relieve hot flashes.

Antidepressants: specifically the drugs classified as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are prescribed in low doses to help with hot flashes and mood swings.

Gabapentin has been known to reduce hot flashes.

Hormone Therapy

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is the most effective way available to treat menopausal symptoms. It involves the use of estrogens or a combination of estrogen and progesterone.

Oral contraceptive pills may be prescribed for irregular bleeding. They help relieve hot flashes and also provide contraception in the perimenopausal period.

Local vaginal hormone creams can help counter the dryness and itching.

Alternative Treatments for Menopause

Plant estrogens, red clover, black Cohosh (a herbal preparation), and Vitamin E have been shown to alleviate hot flashes and some other symptoms of menopause to varying degrees.

Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Hormone replacement therapy is said to have revolutionized the life of postmenopausal women. HRT effectively reduces the symptoms of hot flashes and vaginal dryness. It has also been shown to offer protection against some postmenopausal conditions, such as osteoporosis and heart disease.

You can take HRT as oral tablets, a skin patch or an implant under the skin, a vaginal ring, a nasal spray, or a gel for topical application.

Although HRT is widely prescribed, it is not without side effects and risks. Nausea, breast tenderness, and weight gain are some common side effects reported with HRT. Recent research has also shown an increased risk of breast cancer, stroke, heart disease blood clots, and dementia in women who have used HRT. You should, therefore, use HRT for the shortest time possible and only after a detailed review of your medical history by a medical professional.