Over the Counter Medicine to Help With Menopause

Menopause is the period of time in a woman's life when menstruation diminishes and ceases. This usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 50. Menopause is not a medical illness, but a natural biological process that can disrupt sleep patterns, deplete your energy, and initiate feelings of sadness and loss. There is no medical treatment required for menopause itself. Instead, the treatment usually focuses on relieving symptoms.

Choosing Menopausal Medication

• There are a number of over the counter medications aimed at relieving symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, mood swings, or night sweats. You should realize that few, however, work on the most severe and persistent symptoms. It is important that you are conscious of your symptoms in order to make the best decision and get the relief that you desire. It is also important to note that most over the counter medications aimed at treating the symptoms of menopause are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. This means that these products have not undergone clinical testing and are not regulated for effectiveness. When choosing an over the counter medication, it is recommended that you choose a product produced by a well known manufacturer. Also, check with your doctor before taking any over the counter medication as some products may not react well with other prescribed medication. Some over the counter medicines may even worsen some health conditions or illnesses.

Over the Counter Treatments

• Black cohosh is an herbal supplement that is used to treat symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats and mild mood swings. It is believed to be an effective short-term, over the counter herbal treatment for menopausal symptoms. Although supporting studies are few, ginseng is an over the counter treatment believed to improve energy and the sexual libido in women. St. John's wort is an over the counter herbal medication used to treat the mild depression, anxiety, or sleeping disorders associated with menopause. Vitamins and minerals, such as B-vitamins, vitamin D, and vitamin E help the body to function properly, which can be help alleviate mild symptoms of menopause such as insomnia.