Moderate Menopausal Vasomotor Symptoms

Menopausal vasomotor symptoms (VMS) include hot flashes and night sweats. For many women these can be uncomfortable, and even disrupt sleep. Moderate menopausal VMS can typically be managed with lifestyle changes and/or hormone therapy, while more severe cases often require additional treatment. Here we review the best treatments for moderate menopausal VMS.

Lifestyle Changes

The first step in treating moderate menopausal VMS is making lifestyle changes that can mitigate symptoms:

Reduce stress: Stress and anxiety can make VMS worse, so taking steps to keep your stress levels low can lower their intensity. This could include using relaxation techniques, meditating, and exercising.
Get adequate sleep: Poor sleep habits can exacerbate VMS, so try to keep your sleeping habits consistent. This means going to bed and waking up at around the same time every day.
Avoid triggers: Some foods and drinks can trigger VMS, so pay attention to your diet and limit VMS triggers like spicy foods and caffeine.
Stay cool: Heat can trigger VMS, so dress in breathable fabrics and use a fan or air conditioner to stay cool.

Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy (HT) typically comes in the form of a pill, cream, or patch. These add hormones — usually hormone-like molecules called selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) — into your body, which helps to mitigate VMS. HT can be effective for moderate menopausal VMS, but it shouldn’t be taken lightly: it can have serious side effects — including stroke and blood clots — so discuss your options with your physician.

Alternative Treatments

In addition to lifestyle changes and hormone therapy, there are a few alternative treatments that can help with moderate menopausal VMS. These include:

Herbal supplements: A variety of herbal supplements can help reduce VMS. Some of the most common include black cohosh, dong quai, ginseng, and evening primrose oil.
Acupuncture: The acupuncture needles stimulate specific points in your body, which can help balance hormones and reduce VMS.
Bioidentical hormones: Bioidentical hormones are hormones that are chemically identical to naturally-occurring hormones in your body. These can be effective for reducing VMS.

Conclusion

Moderate menopausal VMS can be managed with lifestyle changes and/or hormone therapy. If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, there are also alternative treatments like herbal supplements, acupuncture, and bioidentical hormones. Whichever option you choose, be sure to discuss it with your doctor to ensure that it’s safe and effective.