What Treatments Are Available for Menopause?

Menopause is a natural phase of a woman’s life, but can cause some big changes. While menopause usually comes around age 45-55, it can make an appearance earlier or later. Understanding what menopause is, and how you can manage the symptoms of it can help you navigate this phase of life more comfortably. 

What is menopause?

Menopause can be officially diagnosed when you have gone 12 months without a menstrual period. It happens because women’s ovaries start to produce less and less estrogen and progesterone over time, which causes ovulation to stop. This is a natural hormonal shift that marks the end of your reproductive phase of life. 

With these hormonal changes often come some physical and emotional changes, as well as some unpleasant symptoms, including:

• Hot flashes

• Night sweats

• Mood swings

• Brain fog

• Joint pains

• Urinary issues

• Vaginal dryness

How to know if you’re in menopause

Although the definition of menopause is not having a period for 12 months, the peri-menopausal phase (the time period before menopause) can have many different signs. Here are some common signs that you are approaching menopause:

• Irregular periods

• Hot flashes

• Night sweats

• Mood changes

• Irritability

• Decreased libido

• Memory or concentration problems

• Skin or hair changes

• Weight gain

If you are around age 45 and are experiencing any of these, it’s probably time to go see your healthcare provider to get your hormone levels checked and rule out other causes. 

Medical treatments for menopause

If you are experiencing menopause symptoms that are bothersome, there are medical treatments available to help you find relief. These treatments include:

• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): HRT is the use of estrogen and/or progesterone to help reduce the symptoms of menopause like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, bone loss, and more. However, not everyone is a good candidate for HRT, especially if they have a history of cancer or blood clots. 

• Non-hormonal prescription medications: Some medications like antidepressants, gabapentin, and clonidine can be used to help treat hot flashes and mood symptoms in menopausal women. 

• Vaginal estrogen: If you prefer to use hormones in a more localized way, vaginal estrogen is available as a cream, ring, or tablet that is inserted directly into the vagina to treat vaginal dryness. 

• Osteoporosis medications: Some women are at a high risk of losing bone density after menopause, leaving them at a higher risk of fractures. There are medications that can be prescribed to help increase bone density. 

Natural and lifestyle treatments for menopause

For those who prefer to avoid traditional medicines, there are some natural strategies you can consider, such as:

• Diet changes: Increasing your intake of vitamin D, calcium, and plant estrogens can help you support your bone health while giving you a small bump in estrogen levels. Foods like tofu, edamame, tempeh, flax seeds, and sunflower seeds are some examples of foods containing plant estrogens. 

• Exercise: Getting regular exercise that includes weight-bearing exercises like lifting weights or resistance or body weight exercises can help you maintain muscle and bone mass while improving your moods. 

• Herbal supplements: Supplements like black cohosh, red clover, and evening primrose oil are some of the more commonly used supplements for menopause symptoms. Always ask your doctor before starting any medication or supplement to make sure they are safe and won’t interfere with any health conditions or other medications. 

• Stress management: Meditation, acupuncture, deep breathing, and mindfulness can all be highly beneficial for menopause symptoms as well as sleep. 

• Cooling techniques: Wearing cooling and breathable fabrics like linen, silk and cotton will allow air circulation to move more freely to and from your skin during hot flashes. The same goes for bedding. A fan near the bedside can also help you manage night sweats. 

When to seek further evaluation

While menopause is the most likely cause of these symptoms, they could also indicate another medical condition. If you experience any of the following, consider scheduling an appointment with your doctor.

• Severe or persistent hot flashes or night sweats

• Unexplained weight gain or loss

• Heavy or prolonged periods

• Heavy periods after not having a period for a while

• Sudden mood changes, depression, or anxiety

• Pain during intercourse

Menopause can be managed with the right combination of treatments tailored to each woman’s individual body. With a thorough discussion of the benefits and risks of each treatment with your healthcare professional, you can find relief and comfort in a plan that will work for you. If your symptoms ever become unusual or concerning, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor for advice.