Menopause what can you take

This fact sheet information describes non-hormonal medicines used for hot flushes. It should not replace the official product information. Women are encouraged to discuss their health needs with a health practitioner. If you have concerns about your health, you should seek advice from your health care provider or if you require urgent care you should go to the nearest Emergency Dept.

Breadcrumbs: Home Health information Menopause Managing menopause. About menopause Menopause symptoms Managing menopause Early menopause Section menu. Treatments for menopausal symptoms Non-pharmacological drug-free treatments There are several drug-free ways to reduce the impact of hot flushes and night sweats. These include: Counselling and psychological treatment such as cognitive behaviour therapy CBT. Hypnosis may also be helpful. Some women also benefit from acupuncture.

Non-hormonal drug treatments Several prescription medications have been shown to reduce hot flushes and night sweats. Prescription medications for hot flushes and sweats include: certain antidepressants e.

For more information see the fact sheet Treating hot flushes: An alternative to menopausal hormone therapy Menopausal Hormone Therapy MHT Menopausal hormone therapy MHT contains oestrogen to treat menopausal symptoms and may contain a progestogen to protect the lining of the uterus womb from cancer in women who have not had a hysterectomy.

These may need investigation by a gynaecologist to rule out other causes Most healthy women around the age of natural menopause can safely take MHT for up to 5 years or at around age See the fact sheet Menopausal Hormone Therapy for more information on: what symptoms it can treat and how how it is taken who can safely take MHT the benefits and health risk of MHT.

Compounded or bioidentical hormone therapy These products are sometimes sold by pharmacists or over the internet. Soy extracts and soy foods Soy foods, foods enriched in isoflavones plant-derived oestrogen-like substances such as red clover and isoflavone supplements have not been consistently shown to reduce hot flushes.

Herbal medicines Black cohosh - may have a mild benefit for hot flushes in some women. St John's wort - may improve depression but has not been shown to improve menopausal symptoms. Evening primrose oil, dong quai, ginseng, licorice and sage do not reduce menopausal symptoms.

Researchers are studying other antidepressants, which doctors may prescribe for off-label use. Women who use an antidepressant to help manage hot flashes generally take a lower dose than people who use the medication to treat depression. As with any medication, talk with your doctor about whether this is the right medication for you and how you might manage any possible side effects. Some women may choose to take hormones to treat their hot flashes or night sweats.

A hormone is a chemical substance made by an organ like the thyroid gland or ovary. During the menopausal transition, the ovaries begin to work less effectively, and the production of hormones like estrogen and progesterone declines over time. It is believed that such changes cause hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Hormone therapy steadies the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body. It is a very effective treatment for hot flashes in women who are able to use it.

They can also help with vaginal dryness , sleep , and maintaining bone density. Hormone treatments sometimes called menopausal hormone therapy, or MHT can take the form of pills, patches, rings, implants, gels, or creams.

Patches, which stick to the skin, may be best for women with cardiac risk factors, such as a family history of heart disease. There are risks associated with taking hormones, including increased risk of heart attack , stroke , blood clots, breast cancer , gallbladder disease, and dementia. Dizziness, nausea, dry mouth , weight gain, or sexual dysfunction are possible side effects of these medications. Antidepressants can be an effective treatment for hot flashes and may only need to be taken during the menopausal transition when symptoms are occurring.

Other prescription medications can be used to relieve hot flashes and night sweats. However, these are off-label so not approved for this use and should not be taken for menopausal symptoms unless prescribed by a doctor.

These include:. Some women only experience occasional hot flashes that do not get in the way of daily life, but for others, they can be very uncomfortable.

People can use home remedies to help with menopausal symptoms, and in severe cases, they can use medications, including hormone therapies. It is advisable to talk to a doctor about the best and safest methods for relieving symptoms, as these can vary between individuals. Sore breasts are common during menstruation, but breast pain and discomfort can also occur during perimenopause and menopause. In this article, learn…. Menopause causes a variety of familiar symptoms, such as hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness — but can it cause a rash?

In this article, we…. Despite its popularity, cannabidiol CBD is controversial. Here, learn about the safety and potential benefits of using CBD to ease menopause…. Perimenopause is the time when the body is preparing for menopause, and it can last several years. During this time, hormones levels fluctuate. Depression is more common during menopause, but it is unclear if menopause directly causes it. Learn more about menopause and depression. Coping with menopausal hot flashes and night sweats.

Medically reviewed by Holly Ernst, P. What to know Treatment Home remedies Alternative medicine Supplements Medication Outlook Many people experience hot flashes and night sweats during menopause and perimenopause. What to know about menopausal hot flashes. Share on Pinterest Almost 85 percent women experience hot flashes during menopause. Treatment and prevention.

Home remedies for hot flashes and night sweats.