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Treatments for menopause focus on relieving symptoms or reducing long-term risks associated
with menopause. Symptoms may not require treatment if they are not severe. There are a variety
of options to treat symptoms. It is important to discuss these options with your healthcare
provider, to find what works best for you.
Home treatments may be useful in relieving the symptoms of menopause, including vitamin and
herbal supplements. Consult your healthcare provider before taking herbal or dietary supplements,
as they may interfere with other medications you may be taking. A balanced diet and regular
exercise is also important in relieving symptoms of menopause. Stress-reduction techniques
may also help.
If you find your symptoms are more severe, there are medical treatments available. Hormone
therapy replaces the hormones that decline during menopause. This includes estrogen replacement
therapy (ERT), which involves only estrogen, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is a
combination of estrogen and progestin. ERT is generally used in women who have had their uterus
removed, and HRT is used in women who still have their uterus. Short-term hormone therapy is
used to relieve symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. Long-term hormone therapy is
used to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis. There may be other benefits as well, such
as protection against Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, ovarian cancer and
colorectal cancer.
There are certain health risks associated with taking certain forms of HRT on a long-term basis.
For some women the risks far outweigh the benefits. The use of ERT during or after menopause has
been linked to an increased risk of endometrial cancer. There is some suggestion that ERT and
HRT are linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Other risks include blood clots and
gallbladder disease.
The decision to use HRT should made only after discussing the pros and cons with your healthcare
provider. Family and personal health history should be taken into account when making this decision.
For instance, if you have had certain types of cancer or liver disease, you should not take estrogen.
Together, you can decide on the best course of action.
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