There is no treatment to 'fix' menopause obviously but there are various ways to treat the symptoms of menopause, again often depending on the severity of the symptoms. Lifestyle changes outlined on this website including strategies such as exercise, nutrition, stress reduction techniques, sleep help strategies often help many menopause symptoms but, subject to obtaining your own independent medical advice, the following prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) treatments may available for perimenopause and menopause.

Treatment

Menopause treatments aim to ease symptoms and prevent or manage ongoing conditions that may happen with aging. Any treatment will depend on the person, their family history and medical background, the medication they are already having, their mental health, the severity of their symptoms and their own independent doctor's advice.

Below however are some of the more common treatments used to ease symptoms:

Hormone therapy.

Estrogen therapy works best for easing menopausal hot flashes. It also eases other menopause symptoms and slows bone loss.

Your healthcare professional may suggest estrogen in the lowest dose and for the time needed to relieve your symptoms. It's best used by people who are younger than 60 and within 10 years of the onset of menopause. If you still have your uterus, you'll need progestin with estrogen. Estrogen also helps prevent bone loss. Long-term use of hormone therapy may have some heart disease and breast cancer risks. But starting hormones around the time of menopause has shown benefits for some people. Talk with your healthcare professional about whether hormone therapy may be safe for you.

Vaginal estrogen.

To relieve vaginal dryness, you can apply estrogen to the vagina using a vaginal cream, tablet or ring. This treatment gives you a small amount of estrogen, which the vaginal tissues take in. It can help ease vaginal dryness, pain with intercourse and some urinary symptoms.

Medications to help prevent bone thinning osteoporosis.

Your healthcare professional might suggest medicine to prevent or treat osteoporosis. Several medicines can help reduce bone loss and risk of fractures. Your healthcare professional also might prescribe vitamin D supplements to help strengthen bones.

Oral contraceptives

Heavy or irregular periods and hot flashes may benefit from this medicine that evens out hormonal fluctuations.

Menopausal hormonal therapy

: (Formerly known as HRT) Like oral contraceptives, this is a low dose of hormones to supplement estrogen levels. It helps with hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, emotional issues and vaginal dryness.

Low-dose antidepressants

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac may relieve hot flashes, mood swings and irritability by modifying the brain signals.

Counselling, Menopause Coaches, Psychologist

Brain fog, anxiety, depression, dependence on alcohol, sleep issues - cognitive behaviour and other talking therapy with a qualified psychologist

Lifestyle changes

A healthier diet with less animal fat and processed sugar, exercise, relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, and a consistent sleep schedule may relieve some of the symptoms, including weight gain, irritability and insomnia.

Vaginal lubricants

For vaginal irritations, use water-based vaginal lubricants or prescription vaginal creams

Allied health services and holistic integrative therapy

Acupuncture, naturopathy, breathwork, nutritionists, psychologists, counsellors, hypnosis, dermatologist, pelvic floor exercise support, yoga, thi chai mindfulness techniques and massages.

Talk with other people

Reach out and be open about it with others in your life and stay connected socially with people. Don't forget this affects 50% of the population and we can openly chat about our labours, pregnancy, periods etc!

Various supplements may be of help but there is unfortunately little evidence to prove:

Ginseng

St Johns Wart

Melatonin