Menopause, a condition occurring in women between the ages of 50-60, is characterized by the cessation of menstrual cycle, which marks the reproductive or fertile period of a woman’s life.
There are certain undesirable symptoms associated with this condition such as hot flashes; mood swings etc. which makes it necessary to keep menopausal symptoms under control. This may be achieved by either making use of natural and herbal treatments, or by use of prescription drugs and medications.
Drugs And Medications To Treat Menopause
Clonidine
Clonidine, a drug commonly used in the treatment of high blood pressure, is known to reduce the occurrence of hot flashes observed among women in the menopausal stage of their lives. Though its pathway in helping reduce hot flashes is unknown, it causes the blood vessels to dilate, thus helping to regulate blood pressure.
Anti-Depressants
Common antidepressant drugs like Zoloft and Prozac reduce hot flashes considerably and further boost mood. This boost in mood is achieved by allowing an increase in travel of serotonin from one neuron to another. Due to an increase in level of serotonin, the pain reception decreases to a considerable extent thus also curing fatigue associated with menopause.
Biphosphonates
Since women undergoing menopause are greatly at the risk of developing osteoporosis, Biphosphonates may reduce the bone mineral density loss to a considerable extent and helps in maintaining overall bone health.
Vaginal Estrogen
With the decrease in estrogen levels during menopause, vaginal dryness and other problems may erupt.
Moisturizers and vaginal estrogens which are available in the form of a cream or gel may be applied to restore the moisture of the vagina and maintain a healthy pH.
Antagonists
Hormone replacement therapy, used to relieve menopausal symptoms, has many side effects including the risk of cancer. Antagonists reduce the bone loss and are effective than hormone replacement therapy in terms of side effects.
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs)
They are a group of drugs that reduce bone loss and risk of fractures and bone disorders associated with the pre or post menopausal stage. Raloxifene, a common SERM is known to reduce the occurrence of breast cancer significantly.
Anti Seizure Medication
Neurontin and other anti-seizure drugs offer a considerable reduction in the occurrence of hot flashes caused as a result of menopause. They work by reducing the effectiveness of the chemical messengers released by the brain.
Hormone Therapy
Probably the most widely used therapy for menopause patients, this therapy works by restoring the depleted amounts of the important hormones required by the body. Oral and transdermal forms are available and these are created or prepared in the laboratory by using bioidentical hormone substances extracted from certain plants.
Use of hormone therapy has greatly benefited women in the menopausal stage by reducing the occurrence of hot flashes and boosting the mood and libido. Vaginal dryness associated with menopause has also been combated by used of transdermal gels available.
Oral Contraceptives
Oral contraceptive pills may be used to treat irregular menstrual flow in women suffering from menopause. They provide relief from hot flashes and also aid the fertility.
