Treatment for Menopause
Although menopause is a natural occurrence, you may need treatment if your symptoms are affecting your quality of life. An effective therapy for women lower than the age of 60 or within 10 years of menopause onset is hormone therapy. It will help to reduce and manage:
- hot flashes[6]
- night sweats
- flushing
- vaginal atrophy
- osteoporosis
Other medications may also be recommended to treat more specific menopause symptoms, like hair loss and vaginal dryness. Some medications used to treat certain symptoms include:
- topical minoxidil 5 percent, used once daily for hair thinning and loss
- eflornithine hydrochloride topical cream for unwanted hair growth
- low-dose estrogen-based vaginal lubricants in the form of a cream, ring, or tablet
- antidandruff shampoos, commonly ketoconazole 2 percent and zinc pyrithione 1 percent, used for hair loss
- nonhormonal vaginal moisturizers and lubricants
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), commonly paroxetine 7.5 milligrams for hot flashes, anxiety, and depression
- prophylactic antibiotics for recurrent UTIs
- ospemifene for vaginal dryness and painful intercourse
- sleep medications for insomnia
- denosumab, teriparatide, raloxifene, or calcitonin for postmenstrual osteoporosis