Saturday, August 22, 2015

An Overview Of Menopause Medication

By Shawn Hunter


Menopause is not an illness. It is part of the normal aging process for women. However, it involves problematic symptoms which require treatment. The medication used in the treatment process will be influenced by the level of discomfort the woman is in. The symptoms vary widely ranging from minor changes in lifestyle like dislike of spicy foods to being put on prescription menopause medication.

In many instances, maintaining a regular schedule of exercising and eating balanced meals are all it takes to manage the signs and symptoms of menopause, stay healthy and avert complications. However, if this does not work the woman may have to take depression drugs, blood pressure drugs, anti-seizure drugs or hormonal medications. The level of estrogen hormone in the body decreases considerably during this stage. Some conditions may also come up including Alzheimer disease, colon cancer, glaucoma, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Taking measures to reduce the risk of suffering from such diseases is by far the best approach.

Treatment is not always necessary as long as the symptoms are under control. However, if it is mandatory that prescription medications be taken, estrogen therapy alone can be able to relieve many of the medical issues which crop up especially hot flashes. Medical history and the history of the family are factors which have to be investigated into adequately before this hormonal therapy is initiated. It is also beneficial in managing cardiovascular diseases and bone loss.

The next troublesome issue after hot flashes is vaginal dryness. This will make the woman avoid sexual intercourse because of the pain and sometimes it may mean painful urination. This can be relieved easily by application of vaginal creams to soften the vaginal walls.

Hot flashes can also be managed by taking antidepressants. The drugs in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the recommended ones. These drugs can be used to replace estrogen in women who cannot tolerate estrogen or those who cannot take it for medical reasons. Some women who have developed mood disorder as a result of menopause can be started on these drugs too.

Neurontin is an anti-seizure medication which is approved in treating menopause hot flashes. Also, it is prescribed to those who are not in a position to take estrogen due to various reasons. In addition, for those who suffer from migraines, this is the best alternative.

Osteoporosis can have far-reaching consequences and the fact that it is very common in women who are in this stage makes it necessary for physicians to be very serious in dealing with it. The leading factor in its development is decline in estrogen level and the women who had inadequate bone mass before are hardly hit. Its management requires a number of approaches including taking a diet high in calories and protein, vitamin D and calcium. Cessation of cigarette smoking is also recommended and those who take alcohol should stop.

Before the treatment plan is put in place, the woman and her doctor have to engage in discussions on the options at hand. The benefits and risks of each of the option have to be considered. The technique chosen has to be reviewed every year to determine the changes to be incorporated if any.




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