Menopause is caused by a woman's ovaries no longer producing viable eggs. It signals the end of female fertility and results in a drop in certain hormones, including estrogen and progestin. Menopause can lead to hot flashes, depression, osteoporosis and vaginal dryness.
Hormone Replacement
Because menopause is marked by a decrease in certain female hormones, one way of treating the symptoms of menopause is to artificially replace these hormones. As "Consumer Reports" explains, synthetic forms of estrogen and progestin, whose decreased levels are responsible for many menopausal symptoms, are effective treatments for menopause.
Benefits
The Mayo Clinic notes that hormone replacement medications can help reduce the severity and frequency of hot flashes and alleviate symptoms of vaginal dryness. They can also reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis--bone loss that leads to easy fracturing of bones--and colorectal cancer. There is also some evidence that hormone replacement medications, when taken for short periods of time, can reduce a patient's risk of developing heart disease, though the phenomenon is still being studied.
Risks
In recent years, hormone replacement medications have become prescribed less by doctors because there is evidence that long-term use of these medicines can increase the risk of developing certain health conditions. The Mayo Clinic notes that women who receive long-term hormone replacement therapy are more likely to suffer from breast cancer, blood clots and a stroke.
Short-Term Candidates
In some cases, short-term use of hormone replacement medications can still be effective at treating the symptoms of menopause. Women with moderate or severe menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, may benefit from short-term use of synthetic hormones. This is especially true for women who experience menopause early (before the age of 40) or have already experienced a decrease in their bone density.
Other Medications
There are other medicines that can be used to treat some of the symptoms of menopause. The Hormone Foundation notes that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can be effective at treating hot flashes and menopause-related depression. Bisphosphanates and vitamin E can also be taken to help prevent osteoporosis.
