Menopause and its symptoms
Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman's menstrual cycle. It usually occurs in women in their late 40s or early 50s, but it can happen earlier or later. Menopause is officially diagnosed after a woman doesn’t have her period for 12 consecutive months. Symptoms vary from woman to woman, but the common symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, fatigue, vaginal dryness, skin and hair changes, and changes in libido. Some women may also gain weight, have disturbed sleep, or memory problems.
What are Hot Flashes?
Hot flashes, a well-known menopause symptom, are sudden feelings of warmth, often most intense over the face, neck, and chest. These episodes can cause flushed skin and profuse sweating. A hot flash can come on abruptly, with little warning, lasting from a few seconds to several minutes.
Key signs of menopausal hot flashes include:
Intense heat spreads through the upper body, mostly the face, neck, and chest
Red or blotchy skin from dilated blood vessels near the skin's surface
Sweating including night sweats
Chills as body temperature regulates
Managing Hot Flashes
Managing a hot flash involves a multifaceted approach that combines lifestyle modifications, medical treatments, and alternative therapies. Staying cool is essential; dressing in layers, using fans, and keeping the sleeping environment cool can help alleviate symptoms. Identifying and avoiding triggers such as spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, and smoking is also crucial. Regular physical activity and stress-reduction techniques like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises can significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes.
Menopause Hot Flash Treatment using Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is widely considered a top treatment option for menopause. It works by replenishing hormones the body no longer produces. Estrogen levels decrease during menopause, leading to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness.
HRT can help regulate hormone levels, reducing or eliminating these symptoms. By restoring hormone balance, HRT can improve the quality of life for women experiencing menopause and make the transition smoother and more manageable. However, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider or your Musely dermatologist to discuss the risks and benefits of HRT before starting treatment.
Bioidentical HRT for Hot Flashes
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) involves using hormones that are chemically identical to naturally produced hormones. BHRT is often used to treat hormonal imbalances and hot flash symptoms from menopause or andropause. It is most popularly designed in a topical cream. Features of a great topical HRT cream include:
Topical formulation of concentrated, prescription-strength, bioidentical hormones
Developed by board-certified physician experts in women’s reproductive health and dermatology
Restores estrogen loss due to aging
Rebalances hormones that cause menopause symptoms, alleviating symptoms
Hydrates the skin, stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, promotes hair growth, and strengthens brittle nails
SSRI and SNRIs for Menopause Treatment
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) have emerged as effective non-hormonal medication for managing hot flashes in menopausal women. Originally developed as antidepressants, these medications can also alleviate the frequency and intensity of hot flashes by influencing the brain's neurotransmitter activity.
Clinical studies have shown that these medications can significantly reduce the occurrence of hot flashes, offering a viable alternative for women who cannot or prefer not to use hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The effectiveness of SSRIs and SNRIs in this context is reportedly linked to their ability to modulate the hypothalamus, the brain region responsible for controlling body temperature. However, like all medications, SSRIs and SNRIs come with potential side effects. Common adverse effects include nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, and changes in appetite or weight.
Antidepressants for Hot Flash Treatment
The only non hormonal treatment for hot flashes approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is a low-dose form of paroxetine (Brisdelle). There are others that have been used to treat hot flashes as well, including:
Escitalopram (Lexapro)
Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
Citalopram (Celexa)
While not as effective as hormone therapy, if you can’t use hormones, they can be a viable alternative. Possible side effects with antidepressants include having trouble sleeping, drowsiness, weight gain, nausea, dry mouth, or sexual dysfunction.
Other prescription medication that sometimes offer relief include Other prescription medications
Other medications that might offer relief for some women include:
Gabapentin, an anti-seizure medication, Pregabalin, another anti-seizure medication, Oxybutynin, a pill or patch most often used to treat urinary conditions like overactive bladder, Clonidine, a pill or patch typically used to treat high blood pressure, and Fezolinetant, a hormone-free medicine for treating menopause hot flashes. Each of these have known side effects as well. Make sure when you consult with your medical practitioner that they make you aware of each medication’s known side effects.
Alternative treatments for menopausal symptoms
Some alternative treatments for menopausal symptoms include lifestyle changes including having a healthy diet, exercising regularly, managing stress through relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation, and getting enough sleep.
Additionally, some women find relief from symptoms through acupuncture, herbal remedies like black cohosh, ginseng, evening primrose oil, or supplements like vitamin E or omega-3 fatty acids. Cognitive behavioral therapy or hypnotherapy have been known to manage symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes. Other alternative solutions include meditation, Again, consult with a healthcare provider before trying alternative treatments to ensure they are safe and effective for your individual situation.
Other Tips for Managing Hot Flashes
Beyond lifestyle changes and medical interventions, some various other tips and treatments can help manage hot flashes effectively. These approaches include practical tips for daily life:
Keep cool including dressing in layers and using a fan when available
Avoid triggers like hot drinks and weather
Stay hydrated including using electrolytes to replace them as they are lost from sweating
Using cooling products like cooling pillows, bed covers, or other personal cooling devices
As you can see there are a number of options for treating menopause hot flashes (and other symptoms), hormone therapy being reported as the most effective treatment option. Musely’s new bio-identical HRT estrogen cream is part of that category of treatment. We encourage you to start with an online doctor visit to see if this topical cream would be an effective solution for you.
