How to Treat Severe Menopause Symptoms

Menopause occurs in women when the ovaries stop producing estrogen, either because of age (natural menopause) or because the ovaries were removed (surgical menopause). Natural menopause occurs in women aged 45 to 55, with the average age of occurrence around 51. There are a wide variety of symptoms, including hot flashes, severe irregularities in the menstrual cycle before it stops completely, insomnia, joint aches, hair loss and mood swings, all of which can vary in severity in each individual.

Instructions

• 1

  Make a list before meeting with the physician to discuss severe symptoms of menopause. Insist on a focused and thorough response from the treating physician. Ask questions and expect answers that help resolve any concerns.

• 2

  Reduce the severity and frequency of hot flashes by 80 to 90 percent with replacement estrogen. Choose oral or transdermal (patch) replacement medication based on the physician's recommendation.

• 3

  Discuss oral contraceptives or local (vaginal) hormone treatments to address irregular vaginal bleeding. Talk to the doctor about combining the two treatments if one alone is not effective.

• 4

  Consider alternative therapies when estrogen is not an option, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), clonidine and gabapentin (neurontin). Consult a homeopathic physician about possible treatment with black cohosh, vitamin E and isoflavones.

• 5

  Include foods in the diet that are high in isoflavones, like genistein and daidzein, the compounds in plants that have a chemical structure similar to estrogen. Incorporate chick peas, soy beans and soy products and lentils into the diet to increase the intake of isoflavones.

• 6

  Make lifestyle changes to decrease the severity of menopause symptoms. Focus on proper nutrition, daily exercise and limited alcohol consumption. Stop smoking to decrease the risk of cardiovascular complications in menopause.