Nonhormonal Treatment of Menopause

Menopause, the biological end of fertility and menstruation, can cause several unpleasant and disruptive symptoms for women. These include hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood swings, vaginal dryness, weight gain, bone density loss and thinning hair. There are nonhormonal treatment options available for many of these symptoms.

Antidepressants

• Antidepressant medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are prescribed to menopausal women to help reduce hot flashes, mood swings and difficulty sleeping.

Gabapentin

• Gabapentin, the generic name for neurontin, is a medication designed to treat epilepsy but commonly used to relieve hot flashes.

Clonidine

• Clonidine, a prescription drug primarily used for the treatment of hypertension, is gaining in popularity as a treatment for hot flashes in menopausal women.

Bisphosphonates

• While estrogen supplementation is often used to prevent the loss of bone density that often accompanies menopause, bisphosphonates are nonhormonal medications used as alternatives for the same purpose. Fosamax, Boniva and Actonel are three popular brands.

Therapy

• Psychiatric therapy can prove beneficial for many menopausal women. Therapy can help cope with the changes a woman undergoes, and can help reduce symptoms like anxiety and sleep disturbances, and can provide tools for managing mood swings.