Menopause Treatment

“Before deciding on any form of treatment, talk with your doctor about your options and the risks and benefits involved with each. Review your options yearly…”.1

Umbrella
What may the Menopause Treatment Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Menopause Medications/Medicines/Therapies/Treatments
  • Menopause Symptom Medications/Medicines/Therapies/Treatments
  • Menopause Therapy Choices/Options
  • Menopause Treatment Choices/Options

Symptoms

How common are menopause symptoms?

On page one in the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause, first published online 10 June 2022, one of the recommendations is:

“The use of herbs in menopause is based on longstanding traditional use, some of which is supported by scientific evidence (e.g. a recent study into the effectiveness of red clover). But more research is needed regarding the effectiveness and safety of some herbal therapies for the management of menopausal symptoms”.2

Different Differences

Is menopause treatment one-size-fits-all?

In Menopause Management Options the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) explain:

“Many women cope with mild menopausal symptoms and don’t need to take any medication or use therapies. Some women manage their symptoms with a healthy lifestyle, such as eating well and doing regular exercise. Other women with symptoms that affect their quality of life might choose to use medicines and therapies”.3

The JH also note:

Menopause Treatment“It’s important to seek accurate and reliable information before you start any treatment”.4

Treatments

What are some menopause treatments?

In Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“Menopause requires no medical treatment. Instead, treatments focus on relieving your signs and symptoms and preventing or managing chronic conditions that may occur with aging. Treatments may include:

  • Hormone Therapy…
  • Vaginal Estrogen…
  • Low-Dose Antidepressants…
  • Gabapentin (Gralise, Horziant, Neurontin)…
  • Clonidine (Catapres, Kapvay)…
  • Fezolinetant (Veozah)
  • Medications to prevent or treat osteoporosis…”.5

Hormone Therapy

How effective is hormone therapy (HT) for the treatment of hot flashes and night sweats?

On page one in Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Benefits the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) explain:

“Hormone therapy is one of the most effective treatments available for bothersome hot flashes and night sweats. If hot flashes and night sweats are disrupting your daily activities and sleep, HT may improve sleep and fatigue, mood, ability to concentrate, and overall quality of life. Treatment of bothersome hot flashes and night sweats is the principal reason women use HT. Hormone therapy also treats vaginal dryness and painful sex associated with menopause. Hormone therapy keeps your bones strong by preserving bone density and decreasing your risk of osteoporosis and fractures. If preserving bone density is your only concern, and you do not have bothersome hot flashes, other treatments may be recommended instead of HT”.6

Hormone Therapy Risks

What are the potential risks associated with HT?

On page one in Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Risks the NAMS elaborate on:

“As with all medications, HT is associated with some potential risks. For healthy women with bothersome hot flashes aged younger than 60 years or within 10 years of menopause, the benefits of HT generally outweigh the risks. Hormone therapy might slightly increase your risk of stroke or blood clots in the legs or lungs (especially if taken in pill form). If started in women aged older than 65 years, HT might increase the risk of dementia. If you have a uterus and take estrogen with progestogen, there is no increased risk of cancer of the uterus. Hormone therapy (combined estrogen and progestogen) might slightly increase your risk of breast cancer if used for more than 4 to 5 years. Using estrogen alone (for women without a uterus) does not increase breast cancer risk at 7 years but may increase risk if used for a longer time”.7

Compounded Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

Is the use of compounded bioidentical hormone therapy recommended for the treatment of menopause symptoms?

On page two in The North American Menopause Society Releases Its 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement, published 07 July 2022, the NAMS note:

  • “Compounded bioidentical hormone therapy presents safety concerns, such as minimal government regulation and monitoring, overdosing or underdosing, presence of impurities or lack of sterility, lack of scientific efficacy and safety data, and lack of a label outlining risks”.8

On page four in the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause one of the recommendations is:

  • “The use of compounded bioidentical hormone replacement therapies is not recommended given the issues related to their purity, potency and safety. The potential benefits of bioidentical hormone therapy can be achieved using conventionally licensed products available through NHS prescribing without having to resort to compounded varieties from specialist pharmacies”.9

Healthy Lifestyle

Can a healthy lifestyle improve menopause symptoms?

On page one in the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause one of the recommendations is:

  • “Women should be advised that implementing or maintaining a healthy lifestyle can improve menopause symptoms. A healthy diet (one low in saturated fat and salt and rich in calcium and vitamin D), stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake and including regular exercise can be beneficial. Reducing caffeine intake may also improve symptoms”.10

Complementary and Integrative Health

Can complementary and integrative health improve some menopause symptoms?

On page one in the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause one of the recommendations is:

  • “Alternative therapies, including cognitive behavioural therapy, may also improve hot flushes, nights sweats and other menopausal symptoms and can be considered in women who do not wish to take HRT or have contraindications to taking HRT”.11

In Menopause Management Options: Natural Therapies (Complementary Medicine and Therapies) the JH explain:

“The use of herbs in menopause is based on longstanding traditional use, some of which is supported by scientific evidence (e.g. a recent study into the effectiveness of red clover). But more research is needed regarding the effectiveness and safety of some herbal therapies for the management of menopausal symptoms”.12

Menopause Management Options: Natural Therapies (Complementary Medicine and Therapies) – Over-the-Counter Products the JH also note:

“The best way to seek guidance about these herbal remedies is to consult a health practitioner trained in herbal medicine use, such as a herbalist, naturopath or Chinese medicine practitioner”.13

Treatment Review

How often should menopause treatments be reviewed?

In the NICE Guideline Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Reviewing Your Care, the NICE [National Institute for Health and Care Excellence] elaborate on:

“You may be having different treatments or therapies to help your menopausal symptoms. To see whether treatment is helping you should be offered review appointments every 3 months to start with. If you are not having any problems you should then have appointments once a year. You should be offered an earlier review if you need it, for example if treatment no longer seems to be working or is causing side effects.

It is also important to keep going to all your routine health screening appointments (for example, breast and cervical screening)”.14

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help with menopause treatments?

If you would like help with menopause treatments, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. The Mayo Clinic explain:

“Before deciding on any form of treatment, talk with your doctor about your options and the risks and benefits involved with each. Review your options yearly, as your needs and treatment options may change”.15

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Menopause Treatment?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Menopause Treatment?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. ACOG Explains: Managing Menopause Symptoms [American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists] [October 2023]
  2. Alcohol and Menopause: A Balancing Act
  3. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  4. BMS TV: Bioidentical Hormones
  5. BMS TV: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  6. BMS TV: Menopause – Weight Gain, Nutrition and Lifestyle
  7. BMS TV: Testosterone Explained
  8. Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
  9. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
  10. Continuous Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Tablets, Capsules and Patches
  11. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  12. Dr Louise Newson: The Truth About the Menopause & HRT
  13. Emerging Research In the Management of Menopausal Symptoms
  14. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  15. Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  16. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  17. Guidance on Menopausal Hormone Therapy
  18. HRT: Benefits and Risks
  19. Hot Flushes, Night Sweats, Brain Fog? Here’s What We Know About Phytoestrogens for Menopausal Symptoms
  20. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  21. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  22. Hot Flashes
  23. Hot Flashes
  24. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
  25. Hot Flushes, Night Sweats, Brain Fog? Here’s What We Know About Phytoestrogens for Menopausal Symptoms
  26. How To Find Relief for Hot Flashes At Night
  27. I Forgot To Ask the Doctor – E9: The Menopause: Can Every Woman That Wants It Have HRT?
  28. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause
  29. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) [+ Video: Is HRT Bad for You?]
  30. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms [+ Video: Talking Menopause With Your GP]
  31. Looking After Yourself
  32. Management of Menopausal Symptoms: A Review
  33. Managing Your Symptoms
  34. Mastering Midlife Mood Changes With Marlene Freeman, MD
  35. Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video]
  36. Mayo Clinic Minute: How Lifestyle Changes May Help Manage Menopause Symptoms [+ Video]
  37. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Perimenopause Transitions and Concerns
  38. Menopausal Hormone Therapy
  39. Menopausal Symptoms: Comparative Effectiveness of Therapies
  40. Menopause
  41. Menopause
  42. Menopause
  43. Menopause
  44. Menopause & Herbs
  45. Menopause Management Options
  46. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Menopause Treatment
  47. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  48. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 3. The Risks & Benefits of HRT
  49. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 5. Lifestyle Advice In Menopause & Perimenopause
  50. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Lifestyle Tips for Menopause
  51. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Mindfulness & Wellbeing During the Menopause Transition
  52. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Treating Vasomotor Symptoms of Menopause
  53. Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
  54. Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t
  55. Menopause Wellness Hub
  56. Menopause and HRT
  57. Menopause and Mental Health
  58. Menopause, Perimenopause, Hormone Therapy and Other Treatments With Madelyn Butler, MD [Podcast]
  59. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment
  60. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause [NICE Guideline]
  61. Menopause: Ensuring A Tranquil Transition
  62. Menopause: Things You Can Do
  63. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
  64. Mood and the Menopause
  65. Mymenoplan.org [My Menoplan, United States]
  66. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
  67. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  68. Natural Remedies To Help Manage Perimenopause Symptoms
  69. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  70. Non-Estrogen Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms
  71. NonHormonal Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms
  72. Nonhormone Treatments for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
  73. Oestrogen Tablets, Patches, Gel and Spray
  74. Perimenopause
  75. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
  76. Perimenopause: Diagnosis & Treatment
  77. Risks and Benefits of MHT
  78. Self-Help Tool: Menopause and Mental Wellbeing
  79. Sequential Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Tablets and Patches
  80. Testosterone and the Menopause
  81. The North American Menopause Society Releases Its 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement
  82. The Truth About Menopause Supplements | Dr Sarah Berry
  83. Therapy for the Effects of Menopause
  84. Tibolone
  85. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  86. Using Natural Therapies In the Menopause Transition – Webinar
  87. Vaginal Dryness
  88. Vaginal Dryness: What To Do About It
  89. Vaginal Oestrogen
  90. Video Series-2022: Hormone Therapy: Understanding the Risks and Benefits
  91. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  92. Video Series-2023: Midlife Vocal Changes and Treatment Options
  93. Video Series-2023: NAMS 2023 Nonhormone Therapies Position Statement for Bothersome Menopause Symptoms
  94. Video Series-2023: New FDA-Approved Nonhormone Option for the Treatment of Hot Flashes
  95. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: A Simple Approach To Menopause: The Menopause Quick Six (www.MQ6.ca)
  96. Webinars: Previous – Brain Teasers: Challenges In the Cranium
  97. What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About Menopause
  98. What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms
  99. What Is Menopause? How Can Symptoms Be Handled?
  100. Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me This? Episode 3: Dr Annice Mukherjee: Your Essential Menopause Toolkit

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 25 May 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401 Accessed: 21 November 2023
  2. Hamoda, H., Mukherjee, A., Morris, E., Baldeweg, S. E., Jayasena, C. N., Briggs, P., Moger, S. Optimising the Menopause Transition: Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published Online 10 June 2022:1 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20533691221104882 Accessed: 21 November 2023
  3. Menopause Management Options. Last Updated: 04 September 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management/ Accessed: 21 November 2023
  4. Menopause Management Options. Last Updated: 04 September 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management/ Accessed: 21 November 2023
  5. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 25 May 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401 Accessed: 21 November 2023
  6. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Benefits. 2022:1. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/professional/menonote-deciding-about-ht-2022.pdf Accessed: 21 November 2023
  7. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Risks. 2022:1. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/professional/menonote-deciding-about-ht-2022.pdf Accessed: 21 November 2023
  8. The North American Menopause Society Releases Its 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement. 07 July 2022:2. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/press-release/ht-position-statement-release.pdf Accessed: 21 November 2023
  9. Hamoda, H., Mukherjee, A., Morris, E., Baldeweg, S. E., Jayasena, C. N., Briggs, P., Moger, S. Optimising the Menopause Transition: Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published Online 10 June 2022:1 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20533691221104882 Accessed: 21 November 2023
  10. Hamoda, H., Mukherjee, A., Morris, E., Baldeweg, S. E., Jayasena, C. N., Briggs, P., Moger, S. Optimising the Menopause Transition: Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published Online 10 June 2022:1 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20533691221104882 Accessed: 21 November 2023
  11. Hamoda, H., Mukherjee, A., Morris, E., Baldeweg, S. E., Jayasena, C. N., Briggs, P., Moger, S. Optimising the Menopause Transition: Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published Online 10 June 2022:1 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20533691221104882 Accessed: 21 November 2023
  12. Menopause Management Options: Natural Therapies (Complementary Medicine and Therapies). Last Updated: 04 September 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management/ Accessed: 21 November 2023
  13. Menopause Management Options: Natural Therapies (Complementary Medicine and Therapies) – Over-the-Counter Products. Last Updated: 04 September 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management/ Accessed: 21 November 2023
  14. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Reviewing Your Care. NICE Guidelines [NG23]. Published Date: 12 November 2015. Last Updated: 05 December 2019. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG23/ifp/chapter/Reviewing-your-care Accessed: 21 November 2023
  15. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 25 May 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401 Accessed: 21 November 2023
Topic Last Updated: 21 November 2023  – Topic Last Reviewed: 21 November 2023

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