Making It Through Menopause With Information and Support

Using the Web is a good way to learn about menopause. You can read about everything from the common issues to the rarer experiences, as well as things you can do to help yourself.

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What are Menopause and Perimenopause?

While menopause is a natural life stage, some women enter the phase earlier than expected, either ... read more »

Perimenopause and Menopause Symptoms

In this section, you will find Web sites that review the signs of menopause, blood tests for ... read more »

Many women going through menopause experience signs and symptoms that can be uncomfortable but there are treatments or therapies that may provide relief. In this section, you will find Web sites that describe both medical and alternative or complementary types of treatments.

Dulcinea's Insight

Using the Web to gather information about treatments can help you feel more empowered and in control of your healthcare. If you find information on the Web that you find particularly useful, you can always print it out or make note of it to bring with you to your next doctor’s appointment or to discuss with your pharmacist.

Dulcinea's Picks

For using lifestyle changes to relieve symptoms …

Mayo Clinic has a page on hot flashes that reviews ways women may find relief from them. Suggestions are made regarding lifestyle and diet changes that could help relieve mild hot flashes, and medications that may help with moderate and severe hot flashes.

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The Cleveland Clinic patient education page, “Menopause: Staying Healthy Through Good Nutrition,” reviews basic dietary guidelines, foods that could reduce menopausal symptoms, and dietary supplements that may be useful as well.

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For hormone therapy information …

The Hormone Foundation provides this table that reviews the pros and cons of different treatments to relieve symptoms of menopause. The Foundation also provides a booklet called “Menopause: Managing Your Body's Changes”, that reviews the different therapies and treatments. Another PDF document called “Bioidentical Hormones and Menopause” examines the difference between hormones as pharmaceutical products, approved by the FDA, and custom-made products that are not. Finally, “Hormone Therapy for Menopausal Symptoms” is another fact sheet that discusses the latest studies, management of symptoms, alternatives to hormone replacement, and questions you should consider asking your doctor.

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The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute has published this 24-page booklet in PDF format, entitled “Facts about Menopausal Hormone Therapy.” This informative booklet provides examples of oral estrogen and estrogen/progestin products, gels, creams, and other hormonal products, as well as hormonal schedules. The booklet also has a section on alternative therapies and dietary supplements, dietary needs for menopausal women, and risk factors for menopause-related health issues.

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The American Academy of Family Physicians reviews the use of very-low-dose contraceptives for women in perimenopause. This page weighs the benefits and side effects.

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For herbal supplements ...

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

reviews complementary therapies and their effectiveness for menopausal symptoms. This page suggests points to think about when considering these therapies.

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The Office of Dietary Supplements

is part of the National Institutes of Health and provides this question-and-answer sheet on the effects of black cohosh (a member of the buttercup family) on the signs and symptoms of menopause. This article discusses clinical studies, how black cohosh works, its effect on hormones, the vagina, and the uterus, and dangers that may be associated with taking black cohosh.

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The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

addresses the use of herbs in treatment of menopausal symptoms, listing many of the herbs commonly used. The site also explains why women should be cautious about using some herbal remedies.

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For clinical trials ...

ClinicalTrials.gov

is a clearinghouse operated by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. This site provides a list of research clinical trials currently underway to test experimental treatments for menopause. Other trials are underway to study hot flashes and premenopause. To learn more about clinical trials, speak to your doctor, and read the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's guide.

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