Menopause Treatment: Effective Options, Alternatives, and What Actually Works

When menopause treatment, the medical approach to managing symptoms that occur as estrogen levels drop during the transition to postmenopause. Also known as hormone replacement therapy, it helps women manage symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness that can disrupt sleep, mood, and daily life. hits, it’s not just about aging—it’s about your body changing chemistry. For many, the shift isn’t mild. Hot flashes can hit five or six times a day. Sleep vanishes. Mood swings sneak in. And vaginal dryness? It’s not something you talk about, but it’s real, and it affects intimacy and comfort. The good news? You don’t have to just suffer through it.

Hormone therapy, a medical treatment using estrogen (sometimes with progesterone) to replace declining hormones during menopause. Also known as HRT, it remains the most effective solution for moderate to severe hot flashes and night sweats. isn’t the only option, but it’s the most proven. Studies from the North American Menopause Society show it cuts hot flashes by 75% or more in most women. But it’s not for everyone—especially if you have a history of breast cancer, blood clots, or liver disease. That’s where alternatives come in. Vaginal dryness, a common menopause symptom caused by thinning and inflammation of vaginal tissues due to low estrogen. Also known as atrophic vaginitis, it can make sex painful and increase urinary tract infections. can be treated with low-dose vaginal estrogen creams or non-hormonal lubricants like hyaluronic acid gels. And for mood and sleep issues? Regular exercise isn’t just good for your heart—it’s one of the most underrated menopause symptoms, physical and emotional changes that occur during the transition to postmenopause, including hot flashes, insomnia, and brain fog. Also known as perimenopausal symptoms, they vary widely from woman to woman. relief tools. Walking 30 minutes a day, lifting light weights, or even yoga can reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality better than some supplements.

There’s a lot of noise out there—black cohosh, soy isoflavones, evening primrose oil. Some work for a few people. None work for everyone. And many aren’t regulated, so you don’t know what’s really in the bottle. What you do know? Prescription options like low-dose SSRIs (like escitalopram) can help with hot flashes even if you’re not depressed. And gabapentin, originally for seizures, is now commonly used off-label for night sweats. These aren’t magic pills, but they’re backed by real data. The goal isn’t to eliminate menopause—it’s to manage it so you can live well while it happens.

Below, you’ll find detailed comparisons of real treatments—what works, what doesn’t, what’s safe, and what’s worth the cost. No fluff. No hype. Just clear, practical info from real comparisons women in Australia and beyond are using to take back control.