During the peri menopausal transition, the levels of estrogen and progesterone hormone, which are produced in the ovaries, become less stable. After menopause, when periods stop, the ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone except for a very small amount. Changes in estrogen and progesterone levels in the body may cause common symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats, interrupted sleep and irritability.

Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy involves taking prescription hormones (estrogen and progestogen) to help manage the symptoms of menopause. There are different types of estrogen and progestogens available and different forms that hormones come in such as pills, patch, vaginal ring, and gels or creams.

Using hormone therapy can be very effective for many menopausal symptoms, but there are risks and benefits to the use of hormone therapy. Some people may not be able to use hormone therapy due to pre-existing conditions such as history of breast cancer, blood clot, stroke, or liver disease.

If you are having difficulty with menopausal symptoms, our medical providers can talk to you about whether hormone therapy is a good choice for you.

Non hormonal medications
Hormone therapy may not be right for everyone who has menopause symptoms. Hormone therapy is generally not recommended in people who have conditions like a history of blood clot or stroke, breast cancer, liver disease or endometrial cancer. There are non hormonal therapies that can be effective for menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, sleep difficulty and mood changes. These medications include fezolinetant, several SSRI/SNRI medications such as citalopram, paroxetine, venlafaxine and desvenlafaxine, gabapentin, and oxybutynin. Your doctor, midwife or nurse practitioner can discuss the risks and benefits of these medications.