Overview
Menopause can bring uncomfortable symptoms that impact your daily life, but finding relief is possible. Prescription medications are among the most effective treatments for managing menopause symptoms like hot flashes, mood changes, and more.
The best prescription medicine for someone you know might be different than what will work for you depending upon your specific symptoms, medical history, and individual needs. You can choose the safest and most effective option to regain control and improve your well-being during this crucial time of adulting by working closely with your healthcare provider.
For starters, you can also explore the list of medications and symptoms that you can relate to in this blog.
What do doctors prescribe for menopause?
Finding the best prescription medication for menopause depends on individual symptoms and health needs. Therefore, the best option depends upon your individual condition and needs. While MHT is highly effective for most symptoms, other treatments like antidepressants, gabapentin, or clonidine can be used for specific issues.
Non-medication approaches, including lifestyle changes and natural supplements, can provide additional support for managing this life stage effectively. Always consult your doctor to determine the most suitable option for your situation.
Prescription medication for menopause
Menopause is a natural phase of life, but its symptoms can significantly impact daily activities and quality of life. Thankfully, there are various prescription medications for menopause that can help alleviate symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. Below is an overview of some of the most effective menopause prescription medications and how they work.
1. Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)
MHT is considered the best prescription medicine for menopause for many women, especially if symptoms are severe. It supplements low levels of estrogen and progesterone to alleviate:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Painful intercourse
- Bone loss due to osteoporosis
Forms of MHT:
- Tablets: Premarin, Prometrium
- Patches: Climara, Estraderm
- Injections: Delestrogen
- Gels, creams, or vaginal rings (Estring, Vagifem)
Risks: MHT is generally safer within 10 years of menopause or under age 60, but it may increase the risk of:
- Blood clots
- Stroke
- Certain cancers
2. Topical hormone therapy
Topical hormone therapy directly addresses vaginal dryness and localized symptoms with reduced systemic absorption, minimizing side effects.
Options include the following:
- Estrasorb
- Evamist
- Premarin cream
3. Vaginal Estrogen
Specifically designed for vaginal symptoms such as dryness and pain during intercourse.
Types:
- Estrogen creams (Estrace, Premarin)
- Vaginal ring (Estring) – lasts for three months
- Vaginal tablet (Vagifem) – inserted twice weekly
4. Low-dose antidepressants
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) can reduce:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Mood swings
Examples: Paroxetine (FDA-approved for hot flashes)
5. Gabapentin
This anticonvulsant is an off-label treatment for hot flashes. It’s less effective than estrogen therapy but may help women who cannot take hormone therapy.
Common side effects:
6. Clonidine
A blood-pressure medication that may help with hot flashes, particularly for women who don’t respond to other medications.
Potential Side Effects:
- Dizziness
- Sleep disturbances
- Heart rate changes
7. Osteoporosis medications
For women at high risk of fractures, these medications can prevent bone loss and maintain bone density.
Menopause OTC medication
Menopause brings about a variety of symptoms, from hot flashes and night sweats to mood swings and insomnia. While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a common treatment, many women seek over-the-counter (OTC) alternatives for relief. Here is a list of some FDA approved OTC options for menopause that may not work as well as the prescription medications but can provide relief for your symptoms temporarily:
- Plant phytoestrogens: Found in soy, seeds, legumes, and teas; may help with hot flashes but evidence is mixed.
- Black cohosh: Herbal remedy possibly effective for hot flashes; best used under medical supervision.
- St. john’s wort: May improve mood, sleep, and hot flashes; caution due to drug interactions.
- Probiotics: Promising for vaginal health and bone density; generally safe for most people.
- Apigenin: Found in chamomile and parsley; unlikely to significantly help menopause symptoms.
- Wild yam: Marketed as natural progesterone; lacks evidence for hormonal or menopause benefits.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: May aid with night sweats and overall health; ensure a sufficient dose of EPA and DHA.
- Calcium: Important for bone health but best obtained through diet; excess can cause kidney stones.
- Vitamin D: Supports bone health and immunity; ensure adequate levels to reduce fracture risk.
- Melatonin: Helps with sleep in some cases; not recommended for long-term use due to limited safety data.
What is the most common drug for menopause?
The most commonly prescribed menopause medication is the estrogen pill. Estrogen pills are widely used to manage menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. These pills are particularly effective for patients who need systemic relief across their entire body.
Some popular brands of pills for menopause include:
- Conjugated estrogens (e.g., Cenestin, Estrace, Estratab, Femtrace, Ogen, Premarin)
- Estrogens-bazedoxifene (e.g., Duavee)
Estrogen pills are ideal for patients experiencing moderate to severe menopause symptoms and can also help prevent long-term issues like osteoporosis. However, they are generally not recommended for individuals with a history of hormone-sensitive cancers, blood clots, or liver disease. A healthcare provider will determine the appropriate dosage and duration of use based on your unique health profile.
What is the new prescription medication for menopause?
The FDA recently approved Veozah (fezolinetant) as a new menopause drug for treating moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes caused by menopause.
Unlike hormone-based therapies, Veozah works by targeting neurokinin B receptors in the brain, which are involved in regulating body temperature. This groundbreaking prescription medication for hot flashes is ideal for women who may not be candidates for hormonal therapy due to health concerns or personal preferences.
By offering an alternative treatment option, Veozah provides relief for individuals seeking a non-hormonal approach to managing menopause symptoms like hot flashes. Consult your healthcare provider to determine if this new menopause prescription is suitable for your condition.
What is the first-line medication for menopause?
For most patients, estrogen therapy is considered the first-line medication for menopause. It is particularly effective for managing hot flashes, night sweats, and other vasomotor symptoms. Additionally, estrogen therapy can help prevent bone loss, reducing the risk of osteoporosis for postmenopausal women.
Healthcare providers typically recommend using the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary to relieve symptoms, minimizing potential side effects. This therapy is best suited for women who are younger than 60 or within 10 years of menopause onset.
However, estrogen therapy may not be appropriate for patients with a history of certain conditions, such as breast cancer, blood clots, or heart disease. In such cases, other medication for menopause may be recommended, such as non-hormonal treatments or combination therapies.
Discuss your symptoms and medical history with your doctor to explore the best prescription medicine for menopause tailored to your needs.
When to consult a doctor?
For many individuals, menopause is a natural stage of aging that doesn’t require medical treatment. However, if you are experiencing bothersome menopause symptoms—such as severe hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, or vaginal dryness—you should consider speaking with your healthcare provider.
These symptoms can often be managed with the prescription medicine for menopause, or non-hormonal alternatives.
Your doctor may recommend blood tests to check your hormone levels and rule out other conditions that could be causing your symptoms, such as thyroid disorders. These tests typically include:
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Estrogen (estradiol)
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
In addition, it’s essential to consult a doctor immediately if you experience vaginal bleeding after menopause. Postmenopausal bleeding may indicate a serious health condition, such as uterine cancer, and requires immediate medical advice.
A healthcare provider can also help you choose the most suitable treatment for your symptoms, whether it’s hormonal menopause medication, non-hormonal therapies, or the over-the-counter alternatives for menopause.
FAQs about the menopause prescription medication
To reduce menopause belly fat, focus on a balanced diet with fewer calories, regular exercise combining cardio and strength training, stress management techniques like yoga, and, if needed, consult a doctor about hormone therapy or other medical options.
You can manage menopause symptoms without estrogen by avoiding triggers like alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods, exercising regularly, eating a nutrient-rich diet, considering non-hormonal medications, and practicing stress-reducing techniques such as mindfulness or yoga.
