Medical Menopause Treatments

Aug 18, 2018 by Philippa R.

If you are struggling with the symptoms of menopause then take heart in knowing that you have several options available to you.There are treatments that contain hormones, and there are those which don’t, providing relief in a different way. In talking with your doctor you can decide what type of treatment you require.

Treatment options will generally depend on the severity of your symptoms, how often they occur and if you are having any type of pain with your symptoms (which you shouldn’t be).  Listed below are some options that are available to you right now that you can discuss with your doctor.

• Antidepressant Medications (Non-hormone treatment) – These can be used to help control hot flashes, depression, mood swings and irritability.  Talk to your doctor about which one is right for you.
• Clonidine – (Non-hormone treatment) – This is a medication normally used to treat high blood pressure, can help decrease the number and severity of hot flashes.  During menopause some women have had side effects related to low blood pressure.
• Gabapentin (Non-hormone treatment) – This is an anti-seizure medication that can help decrease the number and severity of hot flashes women have during menopause.  There are some possible side effects that can include swelling, sleepiness, and dizziness.
• Birth Control Pills (Hormone treatment) – Birth control pills can be used to help regulate the menstrual cycle during perimenopause or help control those periods that are extremely heavy.  However, if you smoke or have a history of blood clots you should not take birth control pills as the risk of stroke is increased.
• Progestin pills or levonorgestrel IUD (Hormone treatment) – These will release a type of progesterone into the uterus which will decrease heavy and irregular menstrual periods during the perimenopause stage. Some women have reporting having side effects from using this type of treatment.
• Low-dose vaginal estrogen (Hormone treatment) – This can be used as a cream, ring or tablet and is used to reduce vaginal and urethral weakening and dryness without giving off high levels of estrogen throughout the body.
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (Hormone treatment) – This type of treatment can be found in a gel, a pill, a cream, a patch, or vaginal ring.  Because there are many side effects associated with hormone replacement therapy, doctors will only prescribe the lowest dose possible for menopause.

While there are several options medically available to you for treating menopause symptoms, it is vital that you talk with your doctor and decide what option works the best for you.  Because menopause symptoms vary in severity and length for each woman, you have to use what will work the best for you.  Every woman is different and every woman has their own set of symptoms so treat the symptoms you have effectively.