|  | Family Health | Womens Health

Menopause Treatment Without Risk of DVT

Women going through menopause may experience unpleasant symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings and vaginal dryness. Hormonal treatments may carry their own risks, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

  1. Menopause

    • Menopause is the end of fertility for women; Mayoclinic.com defines it as 12 months after a woman's last menstrual period. Even though menopause is a natural part of aging, the symptoms, which may include vaginal dryness, hot flashes, sleep problems, mood swings, increased abdominal fat and thinning hair, can be treated.

    Hormonal Treatments

    • A common menopause treatment is hormone replacement therapy (HRT), replacing the estrogen and/or progestin that a woman stops producing. HRT may increase a woman's risk of deep vein thrombosis, a type of serious blood clot.

    Deep Vein Thrombosis

    • The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute says a DVT is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body. Blood clots occur when blood thickens and clumps together; clots prevent blood from traveling freely throughout the body.

    Diet and Exercise

    • Close up of a scale.

      Hormonal changes may not be the cause of menopausal weight gain, says Mayoclinic.com. Preventing or reducing weight gain after menopause is the same as before: increase physical activity, reduce calories and decrease dietary fat. Changing your diet and exercise has no risk of DVT.

    Vitamins & Minerals

    • A plaque about medicinal herbs.

      To treat menopause naturally without a risk of DVT, Dr. Andrew Weil recommends natural soy foods, vitamins E and B supplements, flaxseed, dong quai, black cohosh, and evening primrose or black currant oil. Always tell your doctor about any herbs or supplements you're taking to prevent interactions.

Womens Health - Related Articles