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Treatments for Menopause

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Main Page Risk Factors Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Screening Reducing Your Risk Talking to Your Doctor Living With Menopause Resource Guide

Menopause is a natural part of life and does not necessarily require treatment. Decide how to best proceed by talking with your doctor. A treatment plan must be considered on an individual basis. First, consider how the symptoms are affecting your daily life. Then, talk with your doctor about your family and medical history. Remember to talk about the risks of heart disease, osteoporosis, and breast cancer.

Remember any decision is not final. You can, and should, review it with your doctor every year during your annual checkup. You can see a gynecologist, a general practitioner, or an internist.

It is also important to review current screening tests you may need based on your age, family and medical history.

Treatments for menopause aim to:

  • Reduce unpleasant physical and psychological symptoms of menopause
  • Reduce your risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, and stroke

Treatment involves the following:

Lifestyle changesMedicationsOther treatmentsAlternative and complementary therapies

There are no surgical procedures for menopause.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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All rights reserved.

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.