Me.No.Pause. Part 3

​Hot flashes, brain fog, sleep disturbances, mood changes- a common shared experience among women.
Common but different; shared yet unique. Some women sail through the perimenopausal and
menopausal times of their lives smoothly with little impact on the quality of their lives. For others, this
leg of the journey is tortuous. How to approach these experiences is as individualized as each woman
and there are many options to consider. All have risks; these must be weighed against the benefits to
reach a proper balance for achieving the goal of living our best lives.
There are many herbal remedies and complementary medicines that have been used for centuries
around the globe for the management of menopausal symptoms. Most require a combination of
products such as evening primrose, black cohosh, or red clover for hot flashes and maca, ginseng, or
fenugreek for mood and sleep issues. Other over-the-counter products available, such as Estroven, offer
a combination of supplements to treat multiple symptoms of menopause. There is very little scientific
data to support the benefits of herbal use in western medicine as they are not regulated by the Food
and Drug Administration. That is not to say, however, there is not a place for such products in our
approach to overall wellness and well-being.
Hormone therapy is another option for most women. Estrogen and Progesterone are most commonly
used for the treatment of hot flashes, mood changes, and other symptoms of menopause. The general
rule of thumb among Women’s Health providers is “the lowest dose for the shortest period of time” to
achieve the desired effect. Considering, also, that the average age of menopause is 51, hormone therapy
is rarely started or continued after the age of 60. Bioidentical hormones are another option available;
these are specifically tailored to each individual and compounded depending upon her specific hormone
levels. There is not, however, evidence of the safety and efficacy of bioidenticals.
Certain antidepressants (SSRI) as well as gabapentin are used with success in many women who are
unable to take hormones.
Pellets, patches, pills, creams…the options are numerous. And in most women, safe alternatives to
confronting the speedbumps of menopause exist. Do not suffer in silence. Your quality of life is worth
the investment of having a discussion with your healthcare provider. BE WELL! BE KIND! SEEK JOY!