There is no menopause treatment because it is not a disease. Menopause is natural phase in the life cycle of women, and therefore management is only limited to the relief of symptoms.
Hormone replacement therapy usually consists of estrogen and progesterone combinations to relieve symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Some women may be started on low-dose estrogen therapy, since the therapy may be contraindicated in some women in who have as history of heart disease or thrombo-embolism.
Medications
Low-dose antidepressants have been found to lower the incidence and intensity of hot flashes in some women. Other anti-depressants that were found helpful in diminishing the symptoms of menopause include Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft.
Other type of medications such as Gabapentin, an anti-seizure medication and a hypertension medication called Clonidine or Catapres have been found to be helpful in reducing the symptoms of menopause. To reduce the risk of osteoporosis many women are placed on calcium supplementation. Vaginal estrogen may also be prescribed to relieve the vaginal dryness that can lead to painful sexual intercourse.
Natural Herb Supplements for Menopause
There are various herbal supplements which have been found to be effective in decreasing or eliminating the symptoms of hot flashes. Perhaps the most popular is black cohosh, an herb which is known to contain phytoestrogens, substances which mimic the action of estrogen molecules and bind to the estrogen receptors of the body.
The herb has been effective against the mild pain and muscular cramping experienced by some women undergoing menopause. Another herb is dong quai, also said to contain phytoestrols and helps reduce the symptoms of estrogen deficiency. False unicorn is another herb considered to be an estrogen regulator. Other herbs found to be useful in reducing the symptoms include gingko biloba, useful in relieving fatigue and depression, sage for the treatment of hot flashes, and St. John's Wort for anxiety and depression. It is important to inform your doctor about these herbs prior to consuming these herbal supplements as they may interact negatively with current medications that you are taking.
