Menopause

Treatment for normal menopause has been very controversial. While many of the symptoms of menopause will diminish over time, they can generally be relieved and managed with lifestyle changes, a good diet, exercise, stopping smoking, and with over-the-counter products.

Women with severe symptoms and those with menopause due to surgery or another non-age-related cause may choose to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT; also called menopausal hormone therapy or MHT) to minimize accompanying symptoms. Risks that been associated with HRT include blood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), breast cancer, uterine/endometrial cancer, and heart disease. For more information about HRT, visit the Hormone Foundation web site. Women should discuss their symptoms, coping strategies, and treatment options with their doctor to make the choices that are right for them.