Menopause is a difficult time for women. Symptoms include irregular periods, decreased or loss in fertility, vaginal dryness and libido loss, the infamous hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, loss of hair and breast fullness and increase in stomach fat. Women may feel fatigued and low in energy. Quite a few different types of drugs are prescribed for menopause, from SSRIs to hormone therapy, but the challenge is finding the best one for personal circumstances.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is still one of the most used and successful treatments of menopause. The goal of hormone therapy is to re-introduce hormones like estrogen into the body since their levels can plummet during menopause. Depending on your health and family history of illnesses, Estrogen may be prescribed for you beginning at the lowest doses.
Antidepressant Drugs
Low doses of antidepressants have been shown to help regulate mood swings, depression and also hot flashes during menopause. In fact, Gabapentin, also known as Neurontin, is used by some psychiatrists as a "mood stabilizer" to control bipolar manias and anxiety. It is known to significantly decrease hot flashes in women. However, like most reports on Gabapentin, its beneficial uses can be observed but are not yet understood. Effexor is a traditional antidepressants and antianxiety medication that treats hot flashes as well. SSRIs, another sort of antidepressant, can help with symptoms as well. A few SSRIs that help are Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft and Celexa.
Vitamin E and Clonidine
Clonidine, a drug typically used for high blood pressure and drug or alcohol detox, can help reduce hot flashes when mixed with vitamin E. However, many women report unpleasant side effects, so this duo of drugs is not highly recommended as the best nor first string of drugs to combat menopause and its related problems.
SERMS
SERMS, known as selective estrogen receptor modulators, are synthetic drugs that mimic estrogen's role in the body, one of which is to bolster bone density and prevent osteoporosis and bone fractures after menopause. Other drugs used to slow bone loss but are non-hormonal medications include bisphosphonates such as raloxifene, Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva and calcitonin.
Conclusion
There are medicines to help every situation. Women with menopause should stay optimistic and be their own advocates in treatment. There is hope, and medications certainly can reduce symptoms. Keep trying medicines, even if one does not work. Eventually you will find the right one. The key is not giving up too quickly.
Tags: during menopause, mood swings, well SSRIs
