Mood swings, hot flashes, and other menopause symptoms may rival the worst PMS symptoms, but relief is possible when you choose an appropriate treatment to manage the symptoms.
Step 1 Talk to your doctor Talk to your doctor about options for managing menopause symptoms, making sure the doctor is aware of your medical history.
Step 2 Weigh pros and cons Weigh the pros and cons of standard hormone replacement therapy. This therapy involves the prescription of a mix of man-made progesterone and estrogen to alleviate symptoms.
Avoid hormone therapy if you have breast cancer, heart disease, or a history of blood clots.
Step 3 Choose the right delivery method Choose the delivery method that best suits you for standard hormone replacement therapy from among a pill, patch, gel, vaginal cream, or a suppository ring.
Step 4 Ask your doctor Ask your doctor about the use of birth control pills to treat heavy, frequent, or unpredictable periods and hot flashes during perimenopause.
Step 5 Go natural Go natural with treatments to manage menopause symptoms if you are uncomfortable taking drugs. Try herbal products like black cohosh, wild yam, dong quai, or Valerian root. Increase your intake of soy, which is suspected to help decrease the severity of hot flashes.
Dietary supplements for menopause treatment include phytoestrogens found in plants, which act like the estrogen naturally produced in the body.
Step 6 Consider alternative therapies Consider alternative therapies to reduce symptoms. Use massage, meditation, yoga, acupressure, or music therapy. Once symptoms vanish, you'll be glad you made the effort.
About 75 percent of women have hot flashes, often beginning 2 or 3 years before menopause.