What Can Be Done to Treat the Symptoms of Menopause?

Symptoms of menopause include changes to your cycle, hot flushes and night sweats, tender breasts and emotional changes.

The good news is there are treatments to help you manage and relieve your symptoms.

Your doctor will be able to discuss these options with you and provide support as you decide what works for you.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone therapy can help relieve symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes and night sweats. It also can reduce the risk of a heart attack and stroke in some women. It is most often used to treat a condition called vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats).

Hormone replacement therapy involves taking one or more hormone drugs each day. These can be estrogen, progestin, or testosterone. The dose and type of drug are determined by your doctor.

Usually, estrogen and progestin are given together in an injection or a pill. Sometimes, a small amount of testosterone is added to estrogen. Other options include low-dose intrauterine devices (IUDs) with levonorgestrel, which are sold under the brand names Liletta, Kyleena, Mirena, and Skyla.

Many women choose to take continuous estrogen-progestin therapy (EPT), which means the same dose of estrogen and progestin is taken each day for several years. This can be safer for some people than getting an IUD and may lessen their chances of ovarian cancer or uterine/endometrial cancer.

If you are concerned about the risks of hormone therapy, talk to your doctor. He or she can help you decide if it is right for you and if so, when to stop.

A recent study showed that women who started hormone therapy within six years of their last menstrual period had a lower risk of hardening their arteries, known as atherosclerosis, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. This is an important finding for women, especially as they get older, says Hodis. It is not clear why this is true, but it seems to be related to how close they are to menopause.

Probiotics

Probiotics have been found to be effective in relieving the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, crushing headaches, and mood swings. A good probiotic supplement for women over 50 is highly recommended.

Recent studies have revealed that through a regular probiotic regimen which includes taking capsules or supplements with live bacteria, menopausal women can obtain relief from their troubling symptoms. 

The probiotic bacteria helps to restore healthy gut microbiota and can also promote the production of endorphins which are thought to play an important role in regulating mood and emotions. 

Furthermore, consuming probiotics may result in lower levels of inflammation in the body since these beneficial bacteria produce compounds known as short-chain fatty acids which have an anti-inflammatory action. 

This reduction in inflammation could help to minimize some of the uncomfortable side effects associated with menopause. In conclusion, while there is still much to learn about how probiotics can treat menopause symptoms naturally, research indicates that they may offer promising potential for relieving this condition.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are a common treatment for the symptoms of menopause, including feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. They work by boosting the activity of certain chemicals in your brain. These include noradrenaline and serotonin, which help regulate your mood. Some antidepressants also improve your sleep, which is another common problem during perimenopause and menopause.

Some women who are taking antidepressants find that their hot flashes and night sweats are reduced, too. If you have problems with these, talk to your doctor about what kind of antidepressant may be best for you.

The most effective antidepressants for menopausal women are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Paxil, Lexapro, and Prozac. They are safe to take and have few side effects.

Other antidepressants that are used for menopause include venlafaxine and low-dose HRT. Both of these drugs have been shown to reduce the frequency of vaginal mucous membrane syndrome (VMS) in menopausal women.

These medications may also help reduce other symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, such as weight gain, a lowered libido, and changes in your vaginal tissues. They are sometimes combined with hormone replacement therapy for a complete menopausal treatment plan.

Antidepressants should be taken with care, especially if you have a history of substance abuse or if you are taking other medicines, such as blood pressure medication. They can cause withdrawal reactions if you stop using them suddenly, so let your healthcare provider know about all of the medicines you are taking.

Some people who take antidepressants feel better after a few weeks. Others need to try more than one medicine before they notice a change. This is because different people respond differently to certain types of antidepressants.

Weight Management

Weight management is a broad term that refers to a number of lifestyle changes that can help you lose or maintain a healthy body weight. Incorporating probiotics to burn belly fat into your routine is one such approach. These can include eating a more balanced diet, increasing your physical activity levels and challenging your mindset around using food as a reward or treat.

Menopause is an inevitable part of aging, but it doesn’t happen without some unpleasant symptoms to deal with. During this time, hormones in your body begin to decline, which can lead to weight gain and other health problems.

Women gain an average of 1.5 pounds per year during this time, regardless of their body type or ethnic background. This increase in fat can have significant health effects, including increased risks for heart disease and certain cancers.

However, weight gain during the menopause transition can be reversed with a few simple changes in your life. Regular exercise is key, as it boosts your metabolism and can help you lose extra fat while gaining lean muscle mass.

Another important factor is good quality sleep. Poor sleep can mess with your hunger and satiety signals, which can make you want to eat more.

It is also important to keep your stress under control. Studies have shown that women who control their stress have a much better control over their menopause symptoms. Keeping your stress levels under control can improve your energy, mood and overall well-being during this time.

Exercise

Physical activity can help ease a number of menopausal symptoms. It can reduce hot flashes and night sweats, improve sleep, help with weight gain and prevent depression. It can also lower your risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and other diseases.

Increasing the amount of exercise you do can help relieve many of your symptoms, but it’s important to be careful about what types of exercises you do. You’ll want to choose exercises that are gentle enough for you but strong enough to increase your strength and muscle mass.

Researchers found that women who participated in a four-times-a-week exercise program reported fewer symptoms than those who did not do so. Symptoms improved in about half of the women who exercised, said lead researcher Riitta Luoto of the University of Tampere in Finland.

The group also experienced less mood swings and irritability than a comparison group. These results, based on self-reports, suggest that exercise may have a role in improving menopause symptoms, Elavsky told Reuters Health.

Although exercise can have a positive impact on women’s symptoms of menopause, it’s important to talk with your OB/GYN about which kinds of activities are safe for you and what kind of workout routine is best.

The most effective types of exercise are moderate-intensity aerobic activities, such as brisk walking or swimming. It’s also important to include weight training in your routine. These can help boost your muscle tone and increase your bone density, both of which can reduce your risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis.

Counseling

Symptoms of menopause are a normal part of life for most women, but they can cause some distress. A therapist can help women cope with the changes that come with menopause.

One type of counseling that can treat the symptoms of menopause is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This form of psychotherapy focuses on changing negative thinking patterns and responding to situations in more productive ways.

CBT has been shown to reduce the frequency of hot flashes and night sweats, and also improve sleep problems. It can also alleviate other menopause symptoms, such as depression and sexual concerns.

Another form of counseling that can help with the symptoms of menopause is couples counseling. This helps couples negotiate differences in sex drive and vaginal pain levels that may affect intimacy.

Counseling is a collaborative effort between a client and a counselor, who works with them to help them better understand and manage their issues. A counselor might work with clients in individual or group sessions to address issues such as communication, self-esteem, goal setting and behavior change.

If you have a lot of hot flashes and night sweats, your doctor might suggest hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Hormones can decrease the symptoms of menopause by replacing the body’s own estrogen. It is safe and effective for most people.

Your doctor might prescribe antidepressants to help you with mood symptoms, such as low self-esteem or feeling depressed. If you have a history of anxiety or panic attacks, your doctor might also recommend talking therapy.

Menopause is a natural process that occurs over a period of about 7 years for most women. However, it can take more than a decade for some women to finish the transition.