Menopause: How the Cope with Menopause
Finding the right formula for menopause treatment can be a very tough ordeal since it takes more than just a change in one’s diet. Medication and regular exercise must also be added to the equation in order to achieve significant results. However, doctors emphasize that menopause treatment is very difficult to achieve. Rather, what is plausible is a shot at relieving the signs and symptoms of menopause, as well as preventing and lessening the severe conditions that usually goes with aging. Thus, the following are some valuable treatments that could help one cope with menopause.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
The most effective treatment to the signs of menopause is Estrogen Hormone Replacement Therapy which specifically works to relieve hot flashes. Before undergoing this kind of therapy, one should always have a doctor take a peek into the health history of the person in order to determine the appropriate amount of doses needed to achieve menopause relief.
Helpful Drugs
Hot flashes which are the most common woe of women in their menopause period can actually be addressed by several numbers of helpful drugs. Anti-depressants, particularly venlafaxine (Effexor), when taken in low doses has actually proven to decrease hot flashes. The same thing goes with other serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Drugs used in treating seizures and high blood pressures, like gabapentin (neurontin) and clonidine (catapres), respectively, can also be useful in reducing the occurrence of these hot flashes.
Nonhormonal menopause medications are also available such as those that also help in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. While these menopause medications reduce bone loss and the risk of easily fractured bones, they likewise replace estrogen which is the basic treatment for women with osteoporosis. On the other hand, there are also selective estrogen receptor modulators that mimic the beneficial effects of estrogen minus the usual risks of estrogen-based drugs.
Small amounts of estrogen are also used in treating vaginal dryness, discomfort during intercourse and urinary problems which are some symptoms of menopause.
Remedies at Home
One good news that anybody dealing with menopause symptoms should know is that those symptoms are not there to stay. Thus, a few steps to reduce or prevent menopause’s ill effects should be helpful in coping with this difficult period.
Avoiding hot drinks, spicy food, and anything that gives your body warmth like alcohol and too much meat can help cool the dreaded hot flashes. Including lots of fruits and vegetables is also helpful to keep the body cool and fat-free.
Menopausal relief can be found in regular exercise, which also gives more benefits than meets the eye such as strengthening bones, lowering cholesterol, lessening the risks of heart disease and osteoporosis, and reducing insomnia and mood swings. Certainly, exercise does the trick in giving menopause relief as long as it is not done before bedtime.
Discomfort when having sexual intercourse can be addressed by using vaginal lubricants, or by simply keeping yourself sexually active.
Risks and Benefits
As in any other medical conditions, one should always remember to confide with a doctor as regards the risks and benefits of each of the suggested menopause treatments since not all of them may necessarily be good for everyone.