Menopause is the cessation of menstruation in a woman. During menopause, many women experience symptoms as a result of the changes in hormone levels as the menstrual cycle winds down and the reproductive years end. Menopause drugs, sometimes referred to as hormone therapy, can be taken to ease the symptoms of menopause and make this transition easier on a woman.
Reasons
Some women choose to take menopause drugs to reduce hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings or other symptoms caused by the fluctuating hormones of menopause. Women who have a family history of osteoporosis may choose to take menopause drugs to lessen the likelihood of developing the disease. According to Consumer Reports, between 70 and 90 percent of women who take these drugs report a reduction in menopause symptoms while on the hormone therapy.
Types
Menopause drugs can have estrogen only, progestin only or a combination of the two. Estrogen, either alone or in a combination pill, helps relieve hot flashes and prevents osteoporosis. Progestin, a synthetic form of progesterone, helps protect the body from endometrial cancer and when used in combination with estrogen can lower the risk of colorectal cancer and osteoporosis.
Contraindications
Some women should not take menopause drugs at all. This includes pregnant women or women who think they might be pregnant. Menopause drugs are also inappropriate for women who have had blood clots, breast cancer, uterine cancer, liver problems or unusual vaginal bleeding. If a woman has had a stroke or heart attack, she should wait at least a year and consult with a doctor before taking menopause drugs.
Dangers
According to the Mayo Clinic, a 2002 clinical trial brought to light many of the dangers of hormone therapy for menopause. Women who take combination therapy may be at increased risk for blood clots, heart disease, breast cancer and stroke. In the study, this was indicated as seven more cases of heart disease, eight more cases of breast cancer and stroke, and 18 more cases of blood clots per year per 10,000 women when compared to 10,000 women taking a placebo pill.
Estrogen-only therapy involves a higher risk of endometrial cancer, rising from a 1 in 1,000 risk in women not taking hormone therapy to a 4 in 1,000 risk, according to Merck Manuals. Estrogen-only therapy also causes 12 more cases of stroke and six more cases of blood clots per 10,000 women yearly when compared to women taking a placebo, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Recommendations
To avoid complications, The Food and Drug Administration recommends that women who choose to use menopause drugs do so for the shortest time possible and in the lowest dose possible that is needed to maintain effectiveness. A woman should also confer with a doctor before deciding whether or not to take menopause drugs and should inform her doctor of any other medications or alternative remedies she is using for menopause or any other health condition. Women with mild symptoms may choose to use other methods for relief such as exercise or relaxation techniques.
