Menopause

Your body produces lower levels of estrogen and progesterone during the menopausal transition. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) replaces some of these hormones to help ease symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. The two types of HRT include:

• Estrogen therapy: This type of hormone therapy provides estrogen only.
• Estrogen progesterone/progestin hormone therapy: If you haven’t had a hysterectomy, you also need to take a hormone called progestin along with estrogen. This helps reduce the risk of endometrial cancer that can happen with estrogen alone.

Hormone therapy can be taken as pills, gels, sprays and skin patches. For vaginal dryness, estrogen is available as a tablet, vaginal ring or cream.

Research has shown that HRT can put you at slightly higher risk for breast cancer, endometrial cancer, heart disease and other conditions. Talk to your provider about the risks and benefits of these treatments. 

Other medications that can address symptoms include:

• Low-dose birth control pills to regulate hormone levels
• Low-dose selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for hot flashes
• Over-the-counter lubricants and moisturizers for vaginal dryness and irritation

Making healthy lifestyle changes can help ease or prevent many menopause symptoms.

• Eat a healthy diet: Eating a heart-healthy diet filled with fruits, vegetables and lean proteins can help prevent heart disease and help you reach or maintain a healthy weight.
• Don't smoke: Smoking can raise your risk for heart disease, stroke and other conditions.
• Exercise regularly: Getting regular physical activity is good for your heart and can help you reach or maintain a healthy weight.
• Increase calcium and vitamin D: Talk to your doctor about ways to increase calcium and vitamin D intake, which helps build strong bones.
• Strengthen your pelvic floor: Doing pelvic floor exercises like Kegels can help improve urinary incontinence.

Some alternative therapies, or integrative medicine, have been proven to help specific menopause symptoms. These therapies can be tried on their own or in combination with other treatments.

• Acupuncture: Research shows acupuncture can greatly reduce hot flashes for some women.
• Bioidentical hormones: These are plant-based hormones that mirror those produced by your body. Your provider can discuss these options with you.
• Yoga: Doing yoga exercises regularly can help with hot flashes and psychological symptoms.