Menopause

Menopause Treatment

Women who are entering menopause do not necessarily require treatment—some may be able to manage their symptoms with at-home remedies. However, many seek help from a healthcare provider in order to treat the side effects and symptoms associated with menopause.

Menopause medication

Some treatments commonly prescribed to manage the symptoms of menopause include^[19]:

• Hormone replacement therapy: Estrogen supplementation is the best treatment for the symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and bone density loss (osteoporosis). Your healthcare provider will determine whether you need progestin supplementation in addition to estrogen therapy.
• Vaginal estrogen: Many women experience vaginal dryness during menopause. Estradiol estrogen tablets (generic Estrace, others) or creams can be inserted vaginally to treat dryness and reduce discomfort during intercourse.
• SSRIs (antidepressants): If a woman is unable to use estrogen supplementation for hormone replacement, her healthcare provider may prescribe a low dose of an antidepressant known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). SSRIs can help with both depressive symptoms and hot flashes.
• Seizure medication: Certain seizure medications, such as gabapentin (generic Neurontin), have been prescribed to treat hot flashes in women who are unable to use estrogen hormone therapy.
• Blood pressure medication: Certain medications used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), such as clonidine (generic Catapres), may be prescribed by a healthcare provider to combat hot flashes.
• Osteoporosis medication: Estrogen supports bone strength. Thus, some women in menopause experience a loss of bone density due to declining estrogen levels. Medications used to treat osteoporosis, including vitamin D supplements, may be helpful in slowing the progression of the condition.

Your provider may prescribe the following medications for menopause:

At-home menopause treatment

Some women find success in improving the symptoms of menopause with the following at-home treatments and remedies^[20]:

• Maintaining a healthy diet: Eating a healthy diet filled with vegetables, fruits, grains, or lean meats will help keep your heart healthy and decrease your risk of developing age-related diseases.
• Learning your hot flash triggers: Some women notice that certain behaviors, foods, or drinks tend to trigger hot flashes. You may want to avoid spicy foods, hot drinks, alcohol, and warm weather in order to minimize your risk of having a hot flash.
• Get adequate sleep: Women in menopause often experience sleep disturbances due to nighttime hot flashes. You can help decrease the chance of this happening by avoiding substances like alcohol and caffeine and exercising regularly.
• Avoid smoking: Smoking cigarettes may have an effect on when you start menopause. Smoking is also known to increase your risk of developing heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis.
• Exercise: Getting regular exercise can help you get better rest at night, as well as decrease your risk of developing heart disease and bone density loss.
• Practice pelvic floor strengthening exercises: These exercises, called Kegel exercises, can help improve intermittent urinary incontinence (the occasional inability to hold your bladder).
• Use lubricant during intercourse: Many women experience vaginal dryness due to declining estrogen levels during menopause. You can minimize dryness and associated discomfort during intercourse by using a water-based personal lubricant.