For many older women, dealing with menopause is an unpleasant fact of life. But that doesn’t mean you have to live with it! If you’re dealing with this issue and want to know how to feel better, here are five recommendations to make life easier.
Hormone Therapy
One of the most commonly prescribed solutions to menopause is hormone therapy. Hormone therapy is ideal for relieving certain uncomfortable symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats. A hormone therapy regimen is tailored to the specific patient, which means your doctor will outline a plan when you go in for a visit.
Estrogen Therapy
Estrogen therapy is a similar concept to hormone therapy. The main difference is that while hormone therapy involves several types of hormones, including progestin, estrogen therapy uses only estrogen to alleviate menopause symptoms. Women who no longer have a uterus can undergo estrogen therapy. In addition to easing menopause symptoms, estrogen therapy reduces bone loss.
Vaginal Estrogen
Vaginal dryness is not a sign of sexual dysfunction, nor is it something to be ashamed about. Many natural remedies and medications can reduce vaginal dryness. While traditional estrogen therapy commonly enters the system through pills, vaginal estrogen is applied in a cream form directly to the vagina.
Since vaginal dryness is a common struggle for many women after menopause, vaginal estrogen solves two problems by restoring essential lubrication to the vagina and stabilizing hormones. Vaginal estrogen is administered in small doses to vaginal tissues.
Low-Dose Antidepressants
Menopause causes a fluctuation in hormones, which can cause psychological changes and hormonal imbalances. Antidepressants, which get commonly prescribed in low doses for patients experiencing menopause, can go a long way in alleviating mood swings and hot flashes associated with menopause. A low-dose antidepressant is often a choice for women who are not able to take estrogen for health and safety reasons.
Osteoporosis Prevention
As the body ages, the bones become more frail and brittle. Broken bones are a common concern in older patients, and menopause treatment can help prevent that from happening.
Depending on your current health, you may be prescribed certain osteoporosis medications, either alone or in conjunction with other menopause relief therapies, to keep your bones from losing strength. Osteoporosis remedies may be as simple as a doctor’s recommendation to take more daily vitamin C through over-the-counter pills, or it can be prescribed in a prescription medication.
With symptoms including hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, and insomnia, women who have experienced menopause will be the first to agree that it is not a fun experience. But thanks to a handful of options available, there are many ways to alleviate the troublesome symptoms associated with this condition. From treating vaginal dryness to protecting your bones, be sure to ask your doctor about the treatment options that are best for you.
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