En Español (Spanish Version)
by Scholten A
Other Treatments for Menopause
There are numerous over-the-counter products available that claim to relieve symptoms of menopause. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the use of these nonprescription products for the treatment of menopause-related conditions. Since there may be potential risks involved in using any product, you should discuss these products with your doctor.
Nonprescription products that may relieve menopause symptoms include:
Many women can benefit from taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement. If your menstrual periods are very heavy during perimenopause, your doctor may recommend taking an
iron supplement. If you do not get adequate
calcium
in your diet and your multivitamin and mineral supplement does not contain the daily requirement for calcium, you may need a separate calcium supplement.
Water-soluble vaginal lubricants and moisturizers can help relieve problems due to vaginal dryness, such as painful intercourse. Unlike lubricants, moisturizers can work directly on the vaginal tissue to make it less dry. Do not use any products that are not designed for vaginal dryness. Though vaginal lubricants and moisturizers can help, they do not cure vaginal dryness and atrophy because the underlying cause is lack of estrogen. Prescription estrogen therapy can help treat vaginal atrophy.
References
Menopause. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://dynamed.ebscohost.com/about/about-us. Updated January 15, 2013. Accessed April 18, 2013.
Menopause. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. Available at:
http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq047.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20130416T1306377302. Accessed April 18, 2013.
Menopause symptom relief and treatments. US Department of Health and Human Services Women's Health website. Available at:
http://womenshealth.gov/menopause/symptom-relief-treatment/index.html. Updated September 29, 2010. Accessed April 18, 2013.