As we discussed in part 1 of this series, again the choices seem endless and can be confusing, especially with all the often conflicting reports and advice from the experts and the self-proclaimed experts. Here we will weed out the safe and reliable options from the snake oil in nature-based menopause medication.

We have probably all heard lately the scary, conflicting and sometimes confusing reports about the potential dangers of using hormone replacement therapy. Because of this, many women have turned to alternative therapies for help with their symptom relief, and you may want to do the same before choosing prescription menopause medication, or perhaps you will be one of the women who feel a combination works best for them.

• Deep breathing and relaxation exercises, as well as yoga or other forms of exercise, may reduce hot flashes and even emotional discomfort. You can also use this in addition to more traditional treatment, such as hormone replacement therapy, to help manage symptoms.
• Black cohosh, available as a supplement alone or in combination with other products available over the counter, may prevent or relieve menopause symptoms in some women. Studies show mixed results, though, so it may or may not work for you. If you choose to use it during perimenopause or menopause, be sure to let your healthcare provider know you are using it and get regular checkups.
• Soy. Making soy a regular part of your diet may help reduce and regulate your menopause symptoms, and it can have other health benefits as well, especially in menopausal women. If you think tofu is your only option, think again. There are many delicious products available to us. Experts agree that soy foods – yummy yogurt, nutrition bars, roasted nuts – are preferable to soy supplements. If you do choose soy as a part of your menopause regimen, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about other medications or conditions you may have. As with anything in life, moderation is key.

Alternative Therapies You May Want to Avoid

Not all natural therapies are necessarily harmless or good for us. According to WebMD, here are some treatments not recommended as part of your menopause medication therapy plan.

• Kava, evening primrose, dong quai, valerian, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and angelica.
• Wild yam or natural progesterone creams.

These products have been shown to simply not work as advertised or may even be harmful. Often they are processed in a unsafe or unsanitary manner.

In spite of this, if you do decide to add one of these to your menopause medication regime, again, be sure to inform your healthcare practitioner about just what you are using, how much you are taking, and why you are using these products. Always obtain them through the most reputable and trusted manufacturers available who follow safe and appropriate guidelines and quality control to make sure you get on the best natural medication available.

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Keeping Sane During an Insane Period -

The symptoms of menopause can at times be overwhelming. Hot flashes that appear seemingly from nowhere; sleep disruptions due to hot flashes and tears at the drop of a hat, these are the things that make you feel as though you can’t survive menopause.

There’s no reason to feel like you have no coping strategies. There are many different ways to keep sane during your body’s insane period of changes. Utilize the many resources available on the Internet, your friends and family, and of course your family doctor.

Two of the most common symptoms and advice offered to help offset them are offered here:

Hot Flashes: The most common symptom of menopause and probably one of the most uncomfortable ones to endure. They can last anywhere from six months to many years.

Managing: Keep ice water or other cold beverages on hand; take a cold shower before going to bed at night; use cotton sheets on your bed; turn pillow often at night or keep a cold pack under the pillow.

Common triggers to recognize: warm environments; stress or anxiety; spicy foods, hot drinks; caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, sugar; and appetite suppressants.

Treatment Options: Increase vitamin E to 800 mg/day; increase soy protein; yoga or meditation; exercise; learn controlled breathing.

Mood Swings: Fluctuating hormones can lead to mood swings that make you feel like you’re riding a roller coaster every day. Half of all women will experience mood swings during perimenopause. Treatment should begin with lifestyle changes, then alternatives to medication and finally medication if needed.

Lifestyle Changes: Remove as many stressors as possible from your life; get plenty of sleep, eat a balanced diet; exercise more; avoid caffeine, alcohol and nicotine. Make time for family and friends, those things that make you happy.

Alternative Medicine: Herbal supplements such as Black Cohosh, Vitamin E, Gingko Biloba, Ginseng; non-oral alternatives including massage and acupuncture. Research these areas to find more alternative methods.

Medication: This option should be the last option but should not be ruled out. You may need a doctor to intervene with medication if your mood swings become severe. HRT or hormone replacement therapy is a widely debated treatment option. Discuss this with your doctor and do your own research before deciding. There are also other medications that can help alleviate mood swings. Talk to your physician and get a second opinion if necessary.

There are as many treatment options for the symptoms of menopause as there are symptoms themselves. By using the research tools available through the Internet you can investigate your alternatives and be armed with information when you visit your doctor.

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Author: Julie F

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Menopause Medication: How Do You Decide Which Is Right For You?

If you are like most women, you are understandably confused when confronted with all the information, some proven, some scary and some downright ridiculous, when it comes to the treatments available for you and your menopause medication arsenal. How about some objective, sensible advice on how to research your options and choose a plan that will work best for you? Well, read on to get some of the best and most up-to-date information available which you will need to make the right decision regarding your personal regimen. Which is right for you? Prescription, natural therapies, or a combination? Let’s look at them all.

Available Choices in Prescription Medication

Pills, oral or vaginal, creams, gels, rings; the choices seem to be endless. Let’s look at our options in prescription medication often used during menopause.

Prescription medication which does contain hormones

• Birth control pills can relieve symptoms during perimenopause, but are not used after menopause. There are many contraindications to using birth control pills and only you and your healthcare provider can decide if they are right for you.
• Low-dose vaginal estrogen, which is available in cream, a pill inserted vaginally, or ring form, helps with localized symptoms such as vaginal dryness and loss of elasticity, but at a much lower dose that is not absorbed as much as when taken in oral pill form.
• Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, is also available in many forms such as pill, patch, vaginal ring, gel, or cream form, and is probably the most widely used form of medication used for the symptomatic treatment of menopause. However, it has been shown to have significant health risks for some women. To provide relief, experts recommend only the lowest dose possible be used for the least amount of time. Talk to your healthcare provider to get more information on whether this medication is a good option for you.
• Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is a form of hormones usually made from plants. Because it is believed to most closely resemble those hormones made by our own bodies, they are thought by many to be a safer bet than those available in the traditional form. There is quite a lot of controversy surrounding this form of hormone therapy, so be sure to do your homework and discuss this with your healthcare provider. Experts on both sides of the debate still feel that any form of hormone therapy should only be used in as low a dose and for the shortest time possible.

Prescription medication which does not contain hormones:

• Antidepressant medicines have been shown to decrease the amount and severity of hot flashes in some women.
• Clonidine, a high blood pressure medicine, may also help decrease hot flashes, but there could be problems with low blood pressure.
• Neurontin, a medication used to control seizures among other uses, can also reduce hot flashes. However, there are possible and significant side effects.

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Author: Pam Lyon

Menopause medication can be confusing and challenging for any woman, but real help is available. Don’t wait to start getting the relief you deserve. For even more valuable information on menopause medication, be sure to visit http://www.squidoo.com/menopausemedication You’ll be glad you did.

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