TREATMENTS

Most menopausal symptoms, when they progress to a stage where they seriously affect quality of life, can be successfully managed with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Moreover, symptoms (especially ones that are mild or moderate) are often manageable through lifestyle change, if hormonal treatments are not desired or not recommended (for instance due to a breast cancer diagnosis earlier in life, even if the cancer is now in remission). Such lifestyle changes include minimizing stress, reducing alcohol, caffeine and nicotine intake (smoking), avoiding hot climates, and exercising regularly. If hormone replacement therapy is an option, there are two options. Hormone replacement medications (usually taken orally) contain either estrogen alone or a combination of estrogen and progesterone. Moreover, gabapentin (a compound often given as pain medication, which is derived from the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA) has been shown to have some effect in reducing hot flashes (and possibly some neurological symptoms of menopause, such as insomnia). It may therefore be a good treatment option in combination with hormone replacement therapy or for patients unable to take HRT. Similarly, some blood pressure medications (Clonidine) may also be suitable for alleviating menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes. In addition, vitamin supplements (calcium, vitamin D, Omega-3 fatty acids) can help prevent long-term consequences of menopause, such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and joint pain.