While everybody’s experience with menopause can differ, some people experience vasomotor symptoms (VMS) that are significant enough to require treatment. One of the likely treatment options is hormone replacement therapy (HRT) but that doesn’t mean you can’t talk to your doctor about the alternatives.
Why Doctors Choose HRT
Menopause is typically caused by the reduced production of estrogen in the body. As such, replacing that can help manage those symptoms. Some issues that doctors aim to address with HRT include vaginal dryness, hot flashes, brain fog, joint pain, and mood swings. The doses of HRT can be varied depending on the severity of your symptoms. Adjusting your hormone levels can also reduce your risk of menopause-related illnesses such as osteoporosis.
It’s important to note that there are two types of HRT – estrogen-only and a combination of estrogen and progesterone. The latter option is commonly prescribed for those with a uterus as estrogen alone can affect the uterine lining.
RELATED: Q&A: Are There Home Remedies To Increase Estrogen Levels?
5 HRT Alternatives
1. Herbal Remedies
There are a few herbal products that have been shown to ease specific menopause symptoms. For example, black cohosh and red clover can help with hot flashes.
Don quai has been used in non-traditional medicine to treat period pain and irregular bleeding. However, it should be noted that herbal remedies can have negative interactions with certain medications. It’s best to talk to your doctor about this before adding them to your routine.
2. Alternative Medicine
This form of treatment focuses on lifestyle changes instead of medication. Some studies have shown that yoga, acupuncture, and acupressure can be effective in relieving menopause symptoms. Sometimes, one or more of these can be combined with herbal remedies.
3. Antidepressants
Several antidepressant studies noticed an interesting side effect – some women who were going through menopause noticed an impact on their symptoms when taking the medication.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and noradrenaline (norepinephrine) reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), in particular, were shown to reduce hot flashes and mood swings. However, the side effects include nausea, reduced sex drive, and a reduction in sexual stimulation. On top of that, antidepressants haven’t been officially cleared for this use so you should talk to your doctor about your options.
4. Gabapentin
This drug is usually used to manage epileptic seizures and nerve pain. However, it was also found to reduce