Menopauseis a normal part of a womans life, not a disease that needs to be treated.
Still, many women seek treatment to relieve symptoms that result from the significant hormonal changes that occur.
Small adjustments can make the next decades healthy ones.
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Exercise
Exercise is important regardless of your age, but it takes on added importance in menopause.
You may even want to consider joining a yoga class.
Regular yoga practice has been shown to maintain flexibility, help with bone loss, and improve hot flashes.
In menopause, it is more of a challenge to maintain your muscle and bone mass.
Ensuring that you get adequate protein and vitamin D in your diet can help you maintain and/or build muscle.
For symptoms of hot flashes, you may want to cut back on spicy foods and caffeine.
In some studies, alcohol has been shown to increase the frequency of hot flashes and night sweats.
you could also use vaginal lubricants during sexual intercourse.
Lowered levels of ovarian hormones are directly responsible for the symptoms and changes that you experience.
There are many different formulations and concentrations available.
Many hormone replacement options contain either a natural or abioidentical form of estrogenand progesterone.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)recommends FDA-approved hormone therapyover compounded hormone therapy.
There arecertain clinical situationswhen using hormones is not appropriate.
The risks of HRT include coronary heart disease, stroke, venous thromboembolism (clots), and dementia.
The treatment can now be better tailored to treat your symptoms while minimizing risks.
A conversation with your healthcare provider can determine if the benefits outweigh the risks for you.
In December 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued aboxed warningfor Veozah.
Veozah may lead to serious liver injury in some individuals.
If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking Veozah and consult your healthcare provider immediately.
Some evidence supports the benefits of this blood pressure medication to reduce hot flashes.
Gabapentin
Like clonidine, gabapentin is not FDA-approved for the treatment of hot flashes.
It is a medicine used to prevent seizures, but has also been shown to reduce vasomotor symptoms.
Many of these options are based on centuries-old healing practices like Chinese-medicine, Ayurveda, and herbal medicine.
You may choose to seek an integrative approach combining allopathic with naturopathic, homeopathic, or Eastern medicine.
Further, specific risks of liver damage have been noted for black cohosh and kava.
It is important to let all your healthcare providers know about any herbal remedies youre taking for menopause.
Simply put, when this energy is out of balance disease occurs.
Ayurvedic practitioners use several different healing techniques, including:
Ayurveda is a well-recognized complementary and alternative medicine option.
But that doesnt mean it is not effective in helping to treat menopausal symptoms.
A Word From Verywell
Menopause causes many changes in your body.
It is a normal process and not a disease.
Making simple lifestyle changes and integrating different therapeutic approaches can help you live very well through menopause and beyond.
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