Let’s Talk Menopause Treatments

Menopause is not a disease. It is a normal part of a woman’s life cycle. If you are experiencing common menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, know that treatment options are available.

Here’s a brief look at some of the treatment options available for the symptoms that may occur throughout the menopause transition, as well as the health risks that can develop during menopause.

You have options.

Talk with your doctor about any symptom that makes you uncomfortable that may be related to menopause.

Symptoms >>

Treating hot flashes:
You're not alone

80% of postmenopausal women experience moderate to severe hot flashes.* The frequency and severity of hot flashes generally increase from early in the transition from perimenopause to menopause, to a peak right around 1 year after menopause. Hot flashes generally lessen over the next 10 years.

*255 women were followed for 16 years. During follow-up, 80% of women reported moderate to severe hot flashes, 17% reported mild hot flashes, and 3% reported no hot flashes.

Current treatment options that require a prescription

Estrogen

(only for women without a uterus)

Estrogen with progestin

(for women who never had a hysterectomy and still have their uterus)

Several antidepressants

Certain blood pressure medicines

of postmenopausal women choose to try alternative therapies that do not require a prescription. However, these have not been well studied for effectiveness and safety. Speak with your doctor before you start any alternative treatment.

Treating osteoporosis:
Prevention is half the battle

Thin, brittle, and/or weak bones can lead to fractures, and fractures may result in disability. Therefore, you and your doctor will want to choose the best path for you to minimize osteoporosis.

Prescription treatment options

Hormonal treatments
- Estrogen (for women who have had a hysterectomy)
- Estrogen with progestin (for women who still have a uterus)
Anticatabolic agents (also called antiresorptive agents)
Bisphosphonates
SERMs
Biologic therapy (such as human monoclonal antibody agents)
Anabolic agents

SERM=selective estrogen-receptor modulator.

Osteoporosis of spine and hips with prescription

Every treatment has risks and benefits that you should discuss with your doctor. Your personal medical record as well as your family medical history will influence your doctor’s treatment recommendations.

Calcium and vitamin D

Calcium is vital for the function of your heart, muscles, nerves, and bones. The body needs vitamin D in order to absorb calcium, and you need both to help keep your bones healthy and strong.

Hormone therapy explained

What is menopausal hormone therapy?

Menopausal hormone therapy, or MHT, includes different combinations of hormones that are available in a variety of forms and doses, and can help treat symptoms throughout the menopause transition. MHT may also be called:

Hormone therapy (or combined hormone therapy)
Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT
Estrogen therapy

If you have not had a hysterectomy and you still have your uterus, you may need a combination of estrogen with progestin, sometimes called “combined hormone therapy.” The added progestin helps reduce the risk of cancer of the uterus, which can sometimes occur if only estrogen is used.

If you do not have a uterus, estrogen alone may be appropriate.

How do you use it?

Hormone therapy comes in a wide variety of options that fall into 2 major categories:

Systemic

Any form that sends hormones into the bloodstream, where it can travel to the organs and tissues that need it (including a skin patch, oral pills, gels, or sprays)

Local

Forms that release small doses of hormones into the tissues of the vagina; available as a vaginal ring insert, vaginal tablet, or cream

Your doctor can help you weigh the pros and cons of using hormone therapy and determine if it may be right for you based on the severity of your symptoms and your medical history.

Learn about a treatment that may help with reducing moderate to severe hot flashes and preventing postmenopausal osteoporosis

Learn More >>

Let’s talk treatments

Let’s talk treatments

Treating hot flashes:
You're not alone

Current treatment options that require a prescription

Treating osteoporosis:
Prevention is half the battle

Hormone therapy explained

Let’s talk treatments

Let’s talk treatments

Treating hot flashes: You're not alone

Current treatment options that require a prescription

Treating osteoporosis: Prevention is half the battle

Hormone therapy explained

Treating hot flashes:
You're not alone

Treating osteoporosis:
Prevention is half the battle