- Menopause treatments can reduce hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness, helping improve daily comfort.
- Options include hormone therapy, non-hormonal medications, vaginal estrogen, and natural remedies based on individual needs.
- Lifestyle habits like exercise, stress management, and avoiding triggers can support long-term health during menopause.
Menopause treatments can help reduce symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. These symptoms appear as estrogen levels naturally decline during the menopausal transition.
The choice of menopause treatments depends on health history, age, time since the last menstrual period, and the severity of symptoms. A gynecologist can help determine which options are safe and appropriate, particularly for women with heart disease, breast cancer, or a history of stroke or blood clots.
Menopause treatments aim to relieve symptoms caused by declining estrogen levels and to help maintain long-term health. Options include hormonal and non-hormonal therapies, as well as lifestyle changes and nutritional approaches that support sleep, bone health, and cardiovascular health.
Hormone therapy for menopause
Hormone therapy is one of the most effective treatments approaches for reducing menopause symptoms, like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and sleep disturbances. Treatment can include estrogen alone or a combination of estrogen and progestogen.
1. Systemic hormone therapy (pills, patches, gels, sprays)
Systemic hormone therapy delivers estrogen throughout the body to relieve vasomotor symptoms. It is available in oral tablets, transdermal patches, gels, and sprays. Patches and gels may offer advantages for some women because they do not activate liver clotting factors and may carry a lower risk of blood clots.
Hormone therapy may be recommended for healthy women younger than 60 or within 10 years of menopause who have moderate to severe symptoms. Women with early or premature menopause may also benefit, as untreated estrogen loss can increase the risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
Side effects associated with hormone therapy include breast tenderness, bloating, nausea, and headaches. More serious risks include blood clots, stroke, and increased breast cancer risk with long-term combined therapy. It is not recommended for women with unexplained vaginal bleeding, a history of breast or endometrial cancer, active liver disease, blood clots, stroke, or coronary artery disease.
2. Low-dose vaginal estrogen for dryness and discomfort
Low-dose vaginal estrogen treats vaginal dryness, irritation, pain during intercourse, and urinary symptoms. Because absorption into the bloodstream is minimal, it is considered safe for most women and does not require the use of progestogen.
Common low-dose vaginal estrogen products include estradiol vaginal cream (Estrace), conjugated estrogen vaginal cream (Premarin Vaginal Cream), estradiol vaginal tablets (Vagifem), estradiol soft-gel inserts (Imvexxy), and the estradiol vaginal ring (Estring).
Non-hormonal menopause treatments
Non-hormonal medications are helpful for women who cannot use or prefer to avoid hormones. These medications can reduce hot flashes, improve mood, and support comfort during menopause.
1. Antidepressants for hot flashes and mood changes
Low-dose SSRIs and SNRIs, such as paroxetine, venlafaxine, escitalopram, citalopram, and desvenlafaxine, can help reduce hot flashes and improve sleep and mood. These medications may be particularly helpful for women with anxiety, depression, or a history of breast cancer.
2. Other prescription medicines
Other medications that may help include gabapentin for hot flashes, clonidine for vasomotor symptoms, and oxybutynin for women with urinary symptoms and hot flashes.
Newer non-hormonal options, such as neurokinin-3 receptor antagonists, may also help reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes. Ospemifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, may be prescribed to help with moderate to severe vaginal dryness and discomfort.
3. Over-the-counter products, moisturizers, and lubricants
Vaginal moisturizers used several times a week can help maintain hydration and improve comfort. Lubricants can be used during sexual activity to reduce friction and irritation. These products are useful for mild symptoms or for women who prefer non-hormonal approaches.
Natural and complementary options
Some natural and complementary approaches may support well-being during menopause. These include dietary phytoestrogens, certain herbal supplements, and homeopathic remedies.
1. Foods with phytoestrogens
Phytoestrogens found in soy, legumes, flaxseed, and sesame seeds have estrogen-like effects and may help reduce hot flashes and vaginal discomfort. Soy foods may provide modest improvements in vasomotor symptoms when consumed regularly.
2. Herbal supplements
Black cohosh is one of the most studied herbal remedies and may help ease hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes. Results across studies vary, and preparations differ, but clinical trials show a generally favorable safety profile.
Also recommended: Tea for Menopause: 6 Natural Remedies for Symptom Relief tuasaude.com/en/tea-for-menopauseRed clover and other isoflavone-rich extracts may offer additional benefits, although evidence is mixed. Evening primrose oil and flaxseed have shown limited effectiveness in studies.
3. Homeopathic remedies
Homeopathic products such as Lachesis mutus, Sepia, and Sulfur have been used to help with hot flashes, sleep, and mood, but scientific evidence is limited. Some studies show small benefits, while others do not demonstrate clear effectiveness.
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle habits play an important role in managing menopause symptoms and supporting long-term health.
1. Sleep, stress management, and exercise
Regular exercise can improve sleep, mood, bone health, and energy levels. Stress management practices, such as mindfulness, deep breathing, and cognitive behavioral techniques, may reduce hot flashes and improve quality of life. Establishing consistent sleep routines may also help reduce symptom intensity.
2. Avoiding hot flash triggers
Common triggers include caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, hot beverages, and warm environments. Identifying and avoiding personal triggers may help reduce the frequency of hot flashes.
3. Weight management and smoking cessation
Maintaining a healthy weight can improve vasomotor symptoms and support cardiovascular health. Smoking cessation is important for overall health, as smoking can worsen hot flashes and increase the risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, and earlier menopause.