Menopause matters: A comprehensive guide to treatment and relief

Published 5:30 pm Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Menopause matters: A comprehensive guide to treatment and relief

Menopause is a normal physiological milestone marking the end of a woman’s reproductive years. While it is universal, the experience of menopause is deeply personal and highly variable. Some people transition through it with few disruptions, while others struggle with debilitating symptoms that interfere with daily life, work, relationships, and emotional well-being.

SaveHealth, a prescription discount card website, shares information about menopause to help navigate this transformative life stage.

What Is Menopause? Understanding the Biological Shift

Menopause refers to the permanent cessation of menstruation due to the decline in ovarian function. It is diagnosed retrospectively after 12 consecutive months without a period, not due to other medical causes. The average age of menopause is 51, though it can occur naturally between ages 45 and 55. Perimenopause, the transitional years leading up to menopause, can begin several years earlier and is often when symptoms first appear.

Biologically, menopause occurs as levels of estrogen and progesterone drop. These hormones influence many systems in the body beyond reproduction. Their decline can trigger vasomotor symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats, as well as mood changes, brain fog, decreased libido, vaginal dryness, and sleep disturbances.

Estrogen also plays a vital role in maintaining bone density, cardiovascular health, skin elasticity, and cognitive function. Thus, menopause is not merely a hormonal shift but a whole-body experience that can have lasting health implications.

The Spectrum of Symptoms

No two people experience menopause in the same way. Some encounter minimal disruption, while others face intense and chronic symptoms. The most commonly reported include:

• Vasomotor symptoms: Hot flushes and night sweats affect up to 75% of those going through the transition. These can last for years and significantly impact sleep and quality of life.
• Sleep disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep is often tied to hormonal changes, temperature dysregulation, and mood disorders.
• Mood changes: Irritability, anxiety, depression, and loss of motivation are commonly reported. Hormonal shifts interact with psychosocial stressors and previous mental health history.
• Cognitive symptoms: Many people report problems with memory, concentration, and word-finding, often referred to as “brain fog.”
• Genitourinary symptoms: Vaginal dryness, itching, discomfort during intercourse, and urinary frequency or urgency are linked to low estrogen in urogenital tissues.
• Changes in libido and sexual function: Reduced interest in sex may stem from both hormonal and psychological causes.

Other symptoms include joint pain, palpitations, headaches, dry skin, and increased facial hair. Many of these symptoms overlap with aging and chronic stress, making diagnosis and management complex.

First-Line Care: Lifestyle as Medicine

Lifestyle modifications are foundational to menopause management and serve as first-line therapy, particularly for mild to moderate symptoms.

Nutrition plays a pivotal role. A diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, fiber, and plant-based proteins supports bone health, cardiovascular function, and weight stability. Phytoestrogens—plant compounds with estrogenlike effects found in soy, flaxseed, and legumes—may offer symptom relief for some individuals.

Physical activity improves cardiovascular health, muscle tone, and mood. Regular weight-bearing exercise helps slow bone loss and maintain mobility. While exercise alone doesn’t eliminate hot flushes, it enhances overall well-being and sleep.

Stress management is essential. Mindfulness, meditation, and yoga can reduce cortisol levels, support mental clarity, and build emotional resilience. These practices are also beneficial for managing insomnia and anxiety.

Sleep hygiene practices such as limiting screen time before bed, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and keeping bedrooms cool can significantly improve rest quality, particularly when night sweats are present.

Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT): An Effective Standard

Menopausal hormone therapy remains the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms and urogenital atrophy. It works by replacing declining estrogen levels, sometimes in combination with progestogen to protect the uterine lining for those with an intact uterus.

MHT has multiple formulations and delivery options, including oral tablets, transdermal patches, vaginal creams, gels, and rings. Transdermal forms, in particular, have a lower risk profile for blood clots and stroke compared to oral estrogens.

Key benefits of MHT include:

• Significant reduction in hot flushes and night sweats
• Improved sleep quality
• Enhanced mood and cognitive performance
• Prevention of bone loss and reduced fracture risk
• Relief from vaginal dryness and sexual discomfort

For healthy individuals under 60 or within 10 years of menopause onset, the benefits of MHT often outweigh the risks. However, use must be individualized. A full medical history, including personal and family history of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and thromboembolism, is necessary before initiating therapy.

Concerns about MHT safety largely stem from early 2000s interpretations of the Women’s Health Initiative study, which have since been reanalyzed. Modern evidence supports the safety of low-dose, short-term MHT when carefully monitored.

Nonhormonal Prescription Therapies

Not all individuals can or wish to take hormones. Fortunately, several nonhormonal medications have proven effective in managing hot flushes, mood symptoms, and sleep disturbances.

SSRIs and SNRIs, typically used to treat depression and anxiety, have been shown to reduce vasomotor symptoms. Medications such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, venlafaxine, and escitalopram modulate serotonin levels and influence thermoregulation in the hypothalamus.

Gabapentin and pregabalin, originally developed for seizures and nerve pain, are effective in reducing nighttime hot flushes and improving sleep. These drugs may cause drowsiness and are typically taken to help anxiety and sleep quality, so they are often taken in the evening.

Clonidine, a blood pressure medication, can reduce hot flushes but has a higher incidence of side effects and is generally less well tolerated.

Oxybutynin, used for overactive bladder, helps to maintain and reduce hot flashes by acting on the nervous system, which in respect reduces the frequency and severity of these vasomotor symptoms.

A new generation of therapies includes neurokinin 3 receptor (NK3R) antagonists, such as fezolinetant. These target specific brain receptors involved in temperature regulation and have shown impressive symptom reduction in clinical trials. While not yet universally available, these drugs represent a promising direction in nonhormonal menopause care.

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)

Up to 80% of postmenopausal individuals experience vaginal dryness, discomfort, or urinary issues. These symptoms often worsen over time and do not resolve without treatment.

Topical estrogen therapies—available as creams, tablets, or rings—are the most effective treatment for GSM. They deliver estrogen directly to affected tissues with minimal systemic absorption. Vaginal moisturizers and lubricants can also provide relief, especially when used regularly.

Importantly, genitourinary symptoms are often underreported due to stigma. Encouraging open dialogue and offering proactive care can significantly improve comfort, sexual function, and quality of life.

Psychological and Behavioral Interventions

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has emerged as a front-line nonpharmacological treatment for menopausal distress. CBT helps individuals reframe their thoughts around symptoms, reduce anxiety, improve mood, and enhance coping strategies. It is especially beneficial for insomnia, anxiety, and perceived hot flush severity.

Mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches also show promise. These therapies promote present-moment awareness and emotional regulation, which may reduce symptom burden even without altering hormonal levels.

Support groups, online communities, and menopause-specific counselling offer additional layers of care. These tools validate the menopause experience, foster connection, and reduce isolation.

Natural and Complementary Therapies

Many individuals turn to natural remedies for menopause symptom relief. While some find benefit, the evidence is mixed.

Phytoestrogens, found in soy products, may offer mild symptom relief due to their estrogenlike activity. Their effectiveness varies based on individual metabolism and dietary intake.

Herbal supplements like black cohosh, red clover, dong quai, and evening primrose oil are widely used, but clinical trials offer inconsistent results. Some may interact with medications or have unknown risks, particularly in those with hormone-sensitive cancers.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are popular integrative approaches. While some studies suggest benefits, more robust evidence is needed to determine their efficacy and safety.

As with any therapy, natural does not always mean safe. Users should consult a qualified practitioner and disclose all supplements to their healthcare provider to avoid adverse interactions.

Early and Induced Menopause

Some people experience menopause before the age of 40, known as premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), or as a result of surgery or chemotherapy. These individuals face additional risks, including infertility, osteoporosis, heart disease, and psychological distress.

In these cases, MHT is often recommended until the average age of natural menopause, unless contraindicated. Hormone therapy in younger individuals not only relieves symptoms but also protects long-term health.

Fertility counselling, mental health support, and regular screening for bone density and cardiovascular health are essential components of care. Early menopause can be emotionally challenging and requires a multidisciplinary approach to address both physical and psychological needs.

Risk Management and Safety Monitoring

Menopause treatment is not static. Ongoing assessment ensures that chosen therapies remain appropriate and effective.

MHT and nonhormonal medications should be reviewed annually. Discussions should cover symptom control, side effects, emerging health risks, and whether continuation is warranted. Many individuals can taper or discontinue therapy after a few years, though some may need long-term treatment.

Bone density testing may be indicated for those at risk of osteoporosis. Cardiovascular risk assessment, breast health monitoring, and mental wellness checks are also part of routine menopause care.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Menopause Care

The landscape of menopause care is changing. Once a topic relegated to whispers, menopause is now entering public conversation with urgency and honesty. Research is evolving to focus not just on symptom relief but on broader outcomes—emotional wellness, sexual health, cognition, and quality of life.

Menopause is not just a medical issue; it intersects with workplace equity, mental health, aging, and empowerment.

Empowerment Through Informed Choices

Menopause is not the end—it’s a transformation. It may bring challenges, but it also offers an opportunity to reprioritize health, self-awareness, and self-advocacy.

Whether through lifestyle adjustments, hormone therapy, prescription medications, psychological support, or complementary practices, there is no single “right” way to treat menopause. The right approach is the one that fits your life, your body, and your values.

This story was produced by SaveHeath and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.