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While menopause is a harmless and natural process that all women must go through at some point during their life, the symptoms that are produced by menopause can be uncomfortable for many women. For instance, it is quite common for women to experience heavy menstrual bleeding, severe mood swings, insomnia, and hot flashes as their body adjusts to the changing hormone levels that come along with menopause. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important for you to know that there are several different treatment options that can you manage your discomfort. Below you will learn more about a few of these treatment options so that you can make an informed decision regarding which option is right for you.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

For many years, hormone replacement therapy was the most commonly used option for the treatment of menopause. This is because through this replacement therapy, patients are able to artificially raise their hormone levels to a pre-menopause level. As a result, the symptoms that come along with menopause will typically lessen or disappear all together.

While HRT remains an effective way of treating the symptoms of menopause, the use of this therapy has become far less common. This is because some women will experience an increased risk of developing other health problems, such as breast cancer, when choosing to receive hormone replacement therapy.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are often considered a safe and effective way to treat the hot flashes and mood swings that typically accompany menopause. This is because when used in low doses, antidepressants have been shown to block the neurological response that triggers a hot flash. According to recent studies, certain antidepressants have been shown to reduce the occurrence of a hot flash by as much as 60%.

Plant Supplements

Many plants contain substances that mimic the role of estrogen. Herbal substances made using these plant-based hormones can help to relieve the symptoms of menopause in a similar manner as traditional hormone replacement therapy. However, since these supplements do not rely on actual estrogen to accomplish results, they are often considered much safer than hormone replacement.

All-Natural Alternatives

There are a wide variety of all-natural/alternative treatments available that claim to treat the symptoms of menopause. These all-natural treatments range from adding more soy to you diet to the use of vitamin E creme on the vagina in order to increase natural lubrication and reduce discomfort. While some women will find these treatments to be effective, there is currently no solid evidence regarding how effective these alternative remedies truly are. Therefore, it is always best to consult your OBGYN at places like Bay Area Women's Care regarding the use of these, or any, menopause remedy before beginning treatment.