Effective medications for hot flashes in menopause

Menopause, or climax, is an inevitable physiological process that darkens the lives of many women after 40 years. However, it can proceed in different ways. Some do not even notice its onset and continue to live a full life, while for others even the pre-climacteric period becomes some kind of nightmare, causing physiological and psychological discomfort, and then there is a need to take various drugs for menopause from hot flashes and other unpleasant symptoms.

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Indications Effective medications for hot flashes in menopause

Climacteric syndrome with all its unpleasant manifestations is a companion of age-related changes in about 75-80% of women. One of its most specific and no less common symptoms are the so-called hot flashes, which occur during the period of the onset of failures in the menstrual cycle and often last for several years after the end of menstruation.

Hot flashes, which are indications for the use of some hormonal and non-hormonal drugs, are sudden attacks of heat that are felt in the face, neck or back of the head, and then move to the chest area. The intensity of such sensations, however, as well as their duration, can vary significantly among women. Some perceive hot flashes as a slight increase in temperature, not attaching any importance to them, while others experience such unpleasant sensations that they feel sick, feeling very exhausted and weak.

Hot flashes are very different in nature and sensations from similar symptoms of some diseases. Some women with sensitive organisms can actually foresee the onset of hot flashes, feeling around themselves a pathological biofield, reminiscent of an aura, which suddenly transforms into warmth, filling the upper part of the body and causing the skin to turn red.

Against the background of sudden heat, there is also an increase in the frequency and strength of the heartbeat, the body temperature rises and falls, causing increased sweating, and then chills, nausea, headache, accompanied by dizziness, as is usually the case with high blood pressure. In addition, weakness is felt throughout the body, breathing is heavy due to a feeling of lack of air. Such symptoms provoke the development of increased anxiety and restlessness.

What is the reason for such an unusual symptom during menopause? The thing is that with age, the functionality of the ovaries in a woman's body decreases, as a result of which the production of estrogen decreases. The deficiency of this hormone in the blood primarily affects the work of the hypothalamus, which begins to incorrectly process information about body temperature. Thus, it understands normal body temperature as elevated, trying with all its might to bring it to "normal" with the assistance of the nervous system. This leads to the expansion of capillaries, which is associated with a red tint of the skin on the face, increased heartbeat and sweating.

Hot flashes are especially acute in the evening and at night, preventing a woman from getting a full rest. Sometimes their intensity is so great that the doctor is forced to prescribe medications for hot flashes, a painful companion of a woman during menopause.

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Release form

If the intensity of hot flashes is low, but they negatively affect the woman's well-being and quality of life, doctors recommend limiting the lifestyle change to moderate activity without overloads and unnecessary worries. At the same time, walks in the fresh cool air and simple physical exercises are recommended. It is necessary to avoid stuffiness and heat, and, if possible, humidify the air in the room. It is imperative to take care of yourself and your body, keep it clean, and give preference to comfortable, "breathable" clothes.

It is also very important to watch your diet. Light food with plenty of fruits and vegetables, full saturation of the body with products containing phytoestrogens, plenty of fluids - the key to reducing the frequency and strength of hot flashes by cleansing the blood vessels and unloading the body.

Proper breathing and herbal drinks that help normalize estrogen levels and have a noticeable sedative effect (oregano, valerian, sage, chamomile, mint, etc.) also have a positive effect on a woman’s condition during menopause.

What medications reduce the intensity of hot flashes?

Unfortunately, following the recommendations for non-drug treatment of menopause does not always give the desired results. And then drugs for hot flashes and other symptoms that haunt a woman during menopause come to the rescue. Despite the variety of such drugs, the selection of the remedy should be carried out by a specialist based on the factors causing the notorious hot flashes, which the doctor learns from the patient's words.

In some cases, doctors prescribe hormonal agents that can normalize the disturbed hormonal balance in a woman's body, in others, preference is given to herbal preparations with plant analogues of estrogen or homeopathic remedies. In addition, as an adjuvant therapy, to alleviate the symptoms of menopause, drugs with a sedative (calming), hypotensive (lowering blood pressure) and antidepressant effect are used, because anxiety and depression can only intensify the already unattractive manifestations of menopause.

Non-hormonal drugs for hot flashes during menopause

Whatever the names of the drugs used for hot flashes during menopause, the main ones on the prescription list are still hormonal or non-hormonal agents that normalize hormonal levels and, consequently, the reaction of the hypothalamus to temperature changes.

Non-hormonal natural remedies are preferable in this situation, since they have fewer contraindications, and the harm from taking them is minimized. Of course, in terms of the speed of action and duration of administration, they are inferior to their synthetic counterparts, and the cost of treatment with them is often quite high, but what will you not do to improve your condition and not harm yourself.

Non-hormonal agents that have a beneficial effect on the female body during menopause include herbal preparations that contain phytoestrogens, which are a kind of analogue of the hormone produced in the human body, as well as homeopathic remedies with the appropriate composition.

Indications for the use of non-hormonal drugs during menopause are the relief of symptoms of climacteric syndrome, including sleep disorders, nervous disorders, hot flashes, as well as the normalization of the physical and mental state of middle-aged women. Such drugs also help with menstrual irregularities in young women and girls, painful periods, inflammatory processes in the appendages and the uterus itself.

Pharmacodynamics. The well-being of a middle-aged woman is highly dependent on the interaction of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian system. Phytoestrogens in herbal and homeopathic remedies compensate for the estrogen deficiency in a woman's body during menopause, because their effects are generally similar. In this way, the activity of the hypothalamus is regulated, and therefore the ovaries. The menstrual cycle becomes regular, the hormonal background returns to normal, which means that painful hot flashes, accompanied by sweating, palpitations and other unpleasant symptoms, go away, sleep and the psycho-emotional state as a whole are normalized.

Some drugs also have a noticeable anti-inflammatory effect and have a beneficial effect on the female genitourinary system.

The pharmacokinetics of drugs for hot flashes during menopause depend on the components of the drug. Most often, non-hormonal drugs are multicomponent, which makes kinetic studies simply impossible.

Names and uses of single-component non-hormonal drugs

Some non-hormonal herbal preparations or dietary supplements can only reduce the frequency and intensity of pronounced symptoms of climacteric syndrome, but these products are not able to completely rid a woman of them. Such preparations prescribed for menopause from hot flashes include: "Tsi-Klim", "Feminal", "Klimadinon" and others, which contain only plant extracts containing phytoestrogens.

"Tsi-Klim" is a homeopathic remedy based on the extract of cemicifuga, a rather poisonous herbaceous plant containing substances with an estrogen-like effect, due to which cemicifuga has found wide application in gynecology and cosmetology.

The drug is available in the following forms: tablets (dietary supplements and vitamins for women over 45) and cream for external use (separately for the face and body). During menopause, "Qi-Klim" is used in the form of tablets, and the cream is used for cosmetic purposes, as a means of improving the color and structure of the skin, increasing its elasticity and flexibility by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin and the effect on the skin of hyaluronic acid and retinol, which are part of the cream.

Qi-Klim tablets improve heart function, increase the secretion of digestive glands, have a relaxing effect on the muscles of the intestines and bladder, alleviate the symptoms of menopause and have a positive effect on the appearance and condition of the skin, delaying its aging.

The drug has a sedative (calming), hypotensive (lowering blood pressure), antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, as well as angioprotective (improves microcirculation), antioxidant and antiglycemic (lowers blood sugar) effect.

In addition to alleviating menopause symptoms, the drug has other indications for use, such as mild arterial hypertension and neurocirculatory dystonia with high blood pressure. "Qi-Klim" is also used to prevent atherosclerosis.

An analogue of the herbal preparation "Qi-Klim" with the same active substance is the drug "Klimakdinon", which is used mainly to alleviate the condition of women before, during menopause and in the postmenopause period. "Klimadinon" is available in the form of tablets and drops.

The method of application and dosage of these drugs for menopause leaks are identical. Tablets and drops should be taken with food once or twice a day. A single dose is 1 tablet or 30 drops. The recommended course of treatment is 3-6 months. After a short break, the course can be repeated.

Vitamins are taken 1 tablet per day for a course of 2 months.

"Feminal" is a drug that belongs to the group of dietary supplements that have a positive effect on the sexual sphere of women's life during menopause due to the clover extract included in its composition. The isoflavones contained in clover have an effect identical to female sex hormones. This is what determines the therapeutic effect of "Feminal", which is recommended for use on the eve of and during menopause.

Like the previous drugs, it should be taken during meals, but in a smaller dosage: 1 tablet per day. The course of treatment is not less than a month.

Also on pharmacy shelves you can find the phytoconcentrate "Feminal ecomed", which is a multi-component biologically active supplement that normalizes the menstrual cycle in adolescents and the condition of women during menopause. In its composition we see water-alcohol concentrates of medicinal plants such as nettle, St. John's wort, centaury, shepherd's purse, etc.

Take drops in the morning and evening half an hour before meals or 20 minutes after meals in the amount of 30-40 drops diluted in ½ cup of water.

Complex homeopathic preparations

There are a number of multi-component preparations which, due to their rich herbal composition and the inclusion of a small amount of snake venom in the medicine, help not only to reduce the manifestations of menopause, but even to get rid of them forever due to the stimulating effect on the body to combat the climacteric syndrome. Such homeopathic preparations include the well-known "Remens", as well as women's medicines "Klimaktoplan" and "Klimakt-hel".

The last two drugs have found their application in the complex therapy of manifestations of climacteric syndrome, and Remens, among the indications for use, also includes inflammatory processes in the internal genital organs (endometritis and adnexitis) and menstrual irregularities in women of different ages.

The composition of the homeopathic drug "Remens" may slightly alarm impressionable representatives of the fair sex, because in addition to plant extracts, it also contains a secret produced by the cuttlefish gland and the venom of one of the largest vipers of South America called Bushmaster (alternative names: lachesis or surukuku). But do not worry so much about your life, because the dosage of the components of the drug takes into account their effect on the body in such a way that the medicine does not harm health, but only performs the task assigned to it.

The herbal composition of the preparation: black cohosh - canadensis - known fighters against hot flashes, as well as pilocarpus, which has a positive effect on the tone of the uterus and helps normalize blood pressure.

The drug ensures the body's adaptive function to age-related changes in the sexual and other spheres, and also prevents the transition of genitourinary diseases in middle-aged women into a chronic form, reducing the likelihood of relapses.

"Klimaktoplan" also refers to homeopathic remedies, the preparations of which are able to relieve a woman from hot flashes and other unpleasant symptoms that haunt her during menopause, without harming her health and figure, which is also important when it comes to the fair sex.

The composition of the preparation includes the already familiar to us black cohosh, which has a normalizing effect on the hypothalamus. An extract from Sepia officinalis (common cuttlefish) also helps to normalize the hormonal balance.

The seeds of the Ignatia amara fruit, from which the extract is prepared, which is part of the drug for hot flashes during menopause "Klimaktoplan", are able to relieve such unpleasant symptoms of menopause as hot flashes, hyperhidrosis, weakness and migraines. Cinquefoil or Sanguinaria (Sanguinaria canadensis) also helps to effectively combat hot flashes, accompanied by reddening of the skin, increased heart rate, pain and dizziness.

The drug also contains snake venom, which is known for its stimulating effect on the body.

We find the same poison in the homeopathic preparation "Klimakt-hel", which is supplemented with such components as Simarouba cedron (allows you to get rid of fever, heat and itching), sulfur and metallic tin. The herbal composition of the medicine is similar to the preparation "Klimaktoplan".

"Klimaktplan" and "Klimakt-hel" can be found on pharmacy shelves in the form of tablets, and the drug "Remens" has 2 forms of release: tablets and drops.

The method of application and dosage of homeopathic remedies for hot flashes during menopause may differ slightly. Thus, it is recommended to take "Klimaktoplan" 1-2 tablets three times a day, before or after meals with a half-hour interval. A single dose for "Klimakt-hel" and "Remens" is 1 tablet. These tablets should be taken in the morning, at lunch and in the evening half an hour before meals and not earlier than an hour after, slowly dissolving. The course of treatment is quite long, in some cases it lasts more than six months.

"Remens" in the form of drops is used in a dosage of 10 drops three times a day. If the symptoms are so strong that their rapid relief is required, it is possible to increase the frequency of administration to 4 (tablets) or 8 (drops) times.

There are very few contraindications to the use of herbal preparations. Basically, these are hypersensitivity to various components of herbal dietary supplements, strictly dependent tumors, intolerance to lactose, which is an auxiliary component of many dosage forms. It is undesirable to take such drugs in childhood, during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Dietary supplements with phytoestrogens are not intended for men.

Side effects typical of the above-described drugs include allergic reactions, increased salivation (Remens) and stomach pain, which are extremely rare. The drugs may worsen the condition of patients diagnosed with gastritis with increased acidity of gastric juice.

Interaction with other drugs. The use of various medications does not require discontinuation or adjustment of the dose of drugs with phytoestrogens, since their interaction does not lead to a decrease in effectiveness or other negative consequences. However, to avoid overdose, it is not recommended to take several drugs with phytoestrogens at the same time.

The storage conditions for various homeopathic remedies with phytoestrogens are approximately the same: original packaging, temperature up to 25-30 degrees, dark place, away from children. Over time, minor changes in color, taste and transparency, characteristic of herbal preparations, are permissible.

Shelf life of various non-hormonal drugs:

• "Remens" in tablets - 3 years, in drops - 5 years.
• "Klimakt-hel" retains its properties for 5 years.
• It is recommended to use "Klimaktoplan" for 4 years.
• "Feminal" and "Qi-Klim" do not lose their properties for 2 years.
• "Klimadinon" should be stored for no more than 3 years.

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"Estrovel" - complex treatment of climacteric disorders

I would like to pay special attention to the drug "Estrovel", which, according to many, is more effective than other multi-component drugs made from natural raw materials. As a result of taking it, almost all the unpleasant symptoms of menopause go away, allowing a woman to live a happy, full life. Many say that after a month of taking the drug, they forget about hot flashes, irritability, insomnia, headaches, problems with blood pressure and heart function.

The product contains 2 sources of phytoestrogens: soy extract and wild yam root extract, which help to get rid of hot flashes and, as a result, significantly improve a woman's well-being during menopause. The natural expensive component indole-3-carbinol also provides effective normalization of hormonal balance, preventing the development of breast cancer.

To normalize the psycho-emotional state, some amino acids and a plant extract of the fruits of the sacred vitex have been added to the composition of the drug, which is prescribed for hot flashes and unpleasant symptoms observed in many women during menopause. This component also reduces breast tenderness, prevents bloating, headaches.

Also in the composition of "Extrovel" we find organic boron, which acts as a preventive measure against osteoporosis. For the same purpose, as well as to normalize the work of the cardiovascular and nervous systems, reduce sweating and swelling, reduce muscle and headaches, the preparation includes extracts of cimicifuga and nettle leaves.

Vitamin E, pyridoxine (vitamin B6), folic acid (vitamin B9), being active antioxidants, help strengthen the immune system, increase performance, and prevent the development of cardiovascular pathologies.

Despite all the advantages, this effective therapeutic and prophylactic agent also has some disadvantages in the form of contraindications for use. By the way, there are few of them. These are childhood and adolescence up to 14 years, periods of feeding and lactation, impaired metabolism of amino acids, in particular phenylalanine (phenylketonuria), and, of course, hypersensitivity to the components of this drug.

Side effects of the drug are limited to rare cases of allergic reactions due to hypersensitivity.

It is recommended to take the drug during menopause no more than 1 or 2 times a day. Single dose - 1 tablet. If necessary, the daily dose can be increased to 3 or even 4 tablets. The tablets are taken with food. The course of treatment is at least 2 months.

The shelf life of the drug is 2 years if stored in a dark place at a temperature not exceeding 25 degrees.

In general, women's opinions about the drug are positive. However, some reviews indicate that recently the market is dominated by "Extrovel" with a modified composition from the company Valiant instead of the drug with the same name from Ecomir. Reviews of this version of the drug are significantly worse than of the drug with the original composition. In addition, "Extrovel" is a fairly strong, one might even say aggressive drug, which should be taken only as prescribed and under the supervision of a specialist doctor.

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Hormonal drugs for hot flashes during menopause

Hormones are able to quickly and effectively combat multiple manifestations of climacteric syndrome, normalizing the disturbed hormonal background. Hormonal drugs contain hormones of animal origin, similar to human ones. Most often, this is estradiol (estrogen) - the main female hormone that ensures sexual and reproductive functions, and is also responsible for the formation of the female figure with all its curves.

On the one hand, such treatment seems preferable, because the hormonal background is normalized in a seemingly natural way as a result of replenishing the hormone deficiency. But on the other hand, hormonal therapy has many contraindications and side effects. That is why uncontrolled intake of hormonal drugs during menopause to get rid of hot flashes often leads to the emergence of various health problems, as well as to the rapid appearance of extra pounds. But the latter aspect is difficult to control even for the doctor prescribing these drugs.

Multiple prohibitions and undesirable side effects in hormonal treatment make hormonal therapy less preferable than non-hormonal treatment with homeopathic remedies. Hormonal therapy is advisable only in severe cases when herbal preparations do not give the necessary effect.

To treat climacteric syndrome, accompanied by strong and frequent hot flashes, blood pressure fluctuations, sleep disorders and other undesirable symptoms, hormonal drugs of 3 types are used:

• Estrogen-containing drugs (tablets "Premarin", "Proginova", preparations in the form of a patch "Dermestril" and gel "Divigel" or "Estrogel").
• Medicinal forms that contain estrogens, progesterone derivatives and some androgens necessary for the female body (tablets "Femoston", "Divina", "Klimen", "Kliogest", etc.)
• Hormonal agents with the addition of melatonin, a hormone that normalizes the daily rhythm and helps optimize nighttime rest. The most popular drug in this group is Melaxen. Sometimes, as a sleeping pill for menopause, a doctor may prescribe Circadin.

All these drugs are prescribed by the attending physician based on the needs of the female body, identified during the patient's survey, as well as some instrumental and laboratory studies. And since the needs may be different and change during treatment, the dosage of drugs is strictly individual, and the therapy is carried out under the constant supervision of a physician, taking into account contraindications for use and possible side effects.

The apparent similarity of some hormonal drugs often prompts women to substitute one drug for another. This should not be done, since the effect of the drugs may differ slightly, and such a substitution may lead to unexpected and not always good consequences.

Other drugs for menopause hot flashes

Very often, hot flashes during menopause are accompanied by severe headaches and increased blood pressure. Hormonal deficiency significantly weakens the walls of blood vessels and negatively affects the heart rhythm. Not only does the body experience symptoms of oxygen starvation, but psychoemotional disorders (companions of hot flashes) are added to them, forcing the vessels to constantly contract and unclench.

Increased blood pressure on the vessels is a common cause of poor health during menopause. Mild hypotensive drugs such as Enap N, Enalapril, Captopril, etc. help stabilize blood pressure. Women usually do not need stronger drugs during hot flashes.

Drugs such as Drotaverine, No-shpa, Spazgan, etc. will help the body cope with high blood pressure and headaches caused by vascular spasms.

A decrease in the production of sex hormones has a negative effect on the state of the woman's nervous system. Irritation over trifles, a feeling of inferiority, thoughts about an allegedly terrible disease, depression cannot but affect the work of the heart and blood vessels, causing various cardiovascular and vegetative reactions. An example of such reactions are the infamous hot flashes.

Most often, various herbal remedies are used as sedatives prescribed as a means of protection against the occurrence of hot flashes during menopause, in particular tinctures of medicinal herbs (sage, motherwort, valerian), which have a calming effect on the nervous system. But if the patient is diagnosed with depression, mild remedies will not bring the desired result. In such a case, it is necessary to seek the help of other specialists (in particular, a psychotherapist) to prescribe potent drugs.

Severe psycho-emotional disorders that accompany some women during the premenopause period and with the onset of menopause itself are some of the indications for the use of the following antidepressant drugs: Velaxin, Paroxetine, Efevelon, Lerivon and others, which stimulate the production of serotonin, which is often called the hormone of happiness.

Antidepressants, like hormone-containing drugs, can have the same function, but differ significantly in their effect on the body, so prescribing such drugs to yourself is quite risky. Such a prescription is associated with unpredictable consequences that can only provoke new, more severe attacks of hot flashes, migraines, psychoemotional disorders, and even provoke cardiovascular pathologies.

Potent drugs require not only individual prescription, but also subsequent dose adjustment up to complete withdrawal. Monitoring of intake of such drugs by a doctor should be constant.

In addition, sometimes it may be necessary to replace the drug in case of its decreased effectiveness, which concerns not only antidepressants, but also drugs that regulate hormonal levels or blood pressure. And this issue is also within the competence of the attending physician.

And most importantly, therapy for menopause, as for other pathological conditions of the body, should be comprehensive, including hormonal or non-hormonal drugs for menopause against hot flashes, hypotensive and sedative drugs, and, if necessary, antidepressants. Only with this approach is it possible to achieve a stable positive result, allowing a woman to not feel the approach of old age so acutely.