Menopause is a condition that occurs as women age. During menopause, the ovaries stop producing mature eggs, which results in the end of fertility. Menopause also involves a severe reduction in estrogen production, which can cause a number of side effects. Medicine for menopause either works to replace the lost estrogen or treat the menopausal symptoms.
Hormone Replacement
Hormone replacement is perhaps the most straightforward medical treatment for menopause because it replaces the hormones that aren't produced during menopause. Hormone replacement involves taking estrogen pills, which then replace the missing estrogen in the body. Estrogen can reduce hot flashes, vaginal thinning and dryness, as well as bone loss. However, it can also increase the risk of developing breast or uterine cancer as well as blood clots, according to The Endocrine Society's Hormone Foundation. Estrogen can be obtained only by prescription and must be taken daily.
Reduced Hot Flashes
One of the more uncomfortable symptoms of menopause are the hot flashes. There are a number of medications that can be taken to prevent these sudden waves of warmth, sweating and flushing. Vitamin E can be taken daily to reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes, though The Hormone Foundation notes that the evidence of its effectiveness is weak. Gabapentin, although normally used for seizures, can also be used for hot flashes. It also needs to be taken daily.
Eased Vaginal Dryness
Other medications are used to treat the vaginal dryness that can occur during menopause. Although the simplest treatment is simply to use moisturizing creams or lubricants, some people do not like using these over-the-counter options. According to the Mayo Clinic, vaginal rings, creams or ointments can be used to locally provide low amounts of estrogen. These prescription treatments can help prevent dryness and thinning of the vagina.
Osteoporosis Prevention
Many women experience bone loss as a result of menopause. As a result, many women take medications that prevent bone loss. One option is bisphophonates (including alendronate and ibandronate). The Mayo Clinic notes that these medications have replaced estrogen as the most commonly prescribed therapy for treating osteoporosis and bone loss in post-menopausal women. Raloxifene, which is a kind of drug called a selective estrogen receptor modulator, mimics the effects of estrogen on the bones without increasing the risk of breast and uterine cancer.
Depression Relief
Depression is another common side effect of menopause. Medications prescribed to treat post-menopausal depression include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants. As is the case with all kinds of depression, these medications need to be taken every day to be effective.
