“Alternative therapies, including cognitive behavioural
therapy, may also improve hot flushes, nights sweats
and other menopausal symptoms and…”.1
Umbrella
What may the Hormone Therapy Alternatives Umbrella include?
Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:
- Antidepressants
- Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
- Clonidine
- Complementary Medicine (CM)
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
- Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH)
- Gabapentin (Neurontin)
- Herbal Medicines
- Holistic Care
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
- Hormone Therapy (HT)
- Hormone Therapy Alternatives
- Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
- Menopause Lifestyle Changes/Management
- Natural Approaches/Medicines/Practices/Products/Remedies/Supplements/Therapies/Treatments
- Nonhormonal/Non-Hormonal Approaches/Medicines/Practices/Products/Remedies/Supplements/Therapies/Treatments
- Over the Counter Products
- Phytoestrogens
- Pregabalin
- Tibolone or Livial
Healthy Lifestyle
Can a healthy lifestyle improve menopause symptoms?
On page one in the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause, first published online 10 June 2022, one of the recommendations is:
- “Women should be advised that implementing or maintaining a healthy lifestyle can improve menopause symptoms. A healthy diet (one low in saturated fat and salt and rich in calcium and vitamin D), stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake and including regular exercise can be beneficial. Reducing caffeine intake may also improve symptoms”.2
In Managing Menopausal Symptoms—Hormone Replacement Therapy Is Not the Only Option! the author notes:
What are vasomotor symptoms?
Vasomotor symptoms include hot flushes and night sweats.
Alternative Therapies
Can alternative therapies improve menopause symptoms?
On page one in the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause one of the recommendations is:
- “Alternative therapies, including cognitive behavioural therapy, may also improve hot flushes, nights sweats and other menopausal symptoms and can be considered in women who do not wish to take HRT or have contraindications to taking HRT”.4
What is HRT?
HRT can be an abbreviation for Hormone Replacement Therapy.
Natural Products
Can natural products improve menopause symptoms?
In Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth – What the Science Says About Complementary Health Approaches for Menopause Symptoms: Natural Products the NCCIH explain:
Mind and Body Practices
Can mind and body practices improve menopause symptoms?
In Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth – What the Science Says About Complementary Health Approaches for Menopause Symptoms: Mind and Body Practices the NCCIH explain:
Complementary Health Approaches
What are some complementary health approaches for menopause symptoms?
In Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth – What the Science Says About Complementary Health Approaches for Menopause Symptoms the NCCIH elaborate on:

- “Natural Products…
- Phytoestrogens
- Black Cohosh…
- DHEA…
- Dong Quai…
- Vitamin E…
- Other Natural Products…
- Mind and Body Practices…
- Acupuncture…
- Hypnotherapy…
- Mindfulness Meditation…
- Yoga…
- Other Complementary Approaches
- Bioidentical Hormones…”.7
In Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Alternatives the (United Kingdom) NHS elaborate on:
- “Lifestyle Measures…
- Tibolone…
- Antidepressants…
- Clonidine…
- Bioidentical or “Natural” Hormones
- Complementary Therapies…”.8
In Complementary/Alternative Therapies for Menopausal Women: Complementary and Alternative Treatments the (British) Women’s Health Concern (WHC) elaborate on:
- “Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)…
- Herbal Treatments…
- Black Cohosh…
- St John’s Wort…
- Isoflavones and Soya Products (Plant substances found in the diet including red clover supplements)
- Acupuncture
- Non Hormonal Prescribed Treatments…
- Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRI) [Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Citalopram, Sertraline] and the Serotonin Noradrenaline Re-Uptake Inhibitor/Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors (SSRI-SNRI) [Venlafaxine]…
- Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (Gabapentin)…
- Clonidine…
- Treatments for breast cancer survivors…”.9
What do the EMAS note about some alternative and complementary therapies for menopause symptoms?
In Menopause Wellbeing and Health: A Care Pathway From the European Menopause and Andropause Society: 11. Complementary and Alternative Therapies, published 12 May 2022, the authors note:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Can cognitive behavioural therapy reduce menopause symptoms?
In Managing Menopausal Symptoms—Hormone Replacement Therapy Is Not the Only Option! the author also notes:
Antidepressants
Can some antidepressants reduce menopause symptoms?
In Menopause Management Options: Non-Hormonal Prescription Medications – Antidepressants the JH explain:
Note: Paroxetine and fluoxetine can reduce the effectiveness of some cancer treatment medications”.12
In Hot Flashes: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment: Antidepressants the (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:
- Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
- Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)
These medications aren’t as effective as hormone therapy for severe hot flashes, but they can be helpful to women who can’t use hormones. Possible side effects include nausea, difficulty sleeping or drowsiness, weight gain, dry mouth or sexual dysfunction”.13
Other Medications
Apart from antidepressants, can some other medications improve menopause symptoms?
In Hot Flashes: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment: Other Prescription Medications the Mayo Clinic explain:
- Gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, Others). Gabapentin is an anti-seizure medication that’s moderately effective in reducing hot flashes. Side effects can include drowsiness, dizziness, water retention in the limbs (edema) and fatigue
- Pregabalin (Lyrica). Pregabalin is another anti-seizure medication that can be effective in reducing hot flashes. Side effects can include dizziness, drowsiness, difficulty concentrating and weight gain
- Oxybutynin (Ditropan XL, Oxytrol). Oxybutynin is a pill or patch most often used to treat urinary conditions like overactive bladder. It may also help relieve hot flashes in some women. Side effects can include dry mouth, dry eyes, constipation, nausea and dizziness
- Clonidine (Catapres, Kapvay, Others). Clonidine, a pill or patch typically used to treat high blood pressure, might provide some relief from hot flashes. Side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation”.14
NK3R Antagonists
Can NK3R antagonists improve menopause symptoms?
In Top 10 Medical Innovations for 2022 Unveiled: 7. Non-Hormonal Alternatives for Menopause the (United States) Cleveland Clinic Consult QD elaborate on:
Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
Can bioidentical hormone therapy improve menopause symptoms?
On page four in the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause, first published online 10 June 2022, one of the recommendations is:
- “The use of compounded bioidentical hormone replacement therapies is not recommended given the issues related to their purity, potency and safety. The potential benefits of bioidentical hormone therapy can be achieved using conventionally licensed products available through NHS prescribing without having to resort to compounded varieties from specialist pharmacies”.16
On page two in the The North American Menopause Society Releases Its 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement the North American Menopause Society also note:
In Is It Really ‘FDA Approved?’ The FDA Doesn’t Approve Compounded Drugs the (United States) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) caution:
Questions To Ask
What may be questions to ask about HT alternatives?
In Menopause Treatment: Questions for Your Healthcare Provider the (United States) Endocrine Society include:
- “What do you think are possible triggers for my hot flashes?
- Are there any lifestyle or dietary interventions that may diminish my symptoms?
- Should I consider medication for treatment of my symptoms? Hormonal or non-hormonal?
- If you are interested in hormonal therapy: Am I a good candidate for hormonal therapy, specifically are my cardiovascular and breast cancer risks low?
- Which lifestyle changes can I make that will decrease my menopause symptoms without medicine?
- Are there any alternative medicine treatments you would recommend I try for relief of my menopause symptoms?
- Are there any alternative medicines I should not use because they could interfere with medicines I take?”19
In the NICE Guideline Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause the (British) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), include these and more questions to ask about Treatment for Menopausal Symptoms:
- “What types of treatments are suitable for my symptoms?
- What are the benefits and risks of different treatments?
- Are there any complementary therapies that could help?
- I use complementary therapies for my symptoms – are these safe to take alongside other treatments?…”.20
Health Care Provider
What if I would like to find out about HT alternatives?
If you would like to find out about HT alternatives, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. Together you can discuss your options and if required, agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.
In Complementary/Alternative Therapies for Menopausal Women the WHC caution:
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics related to Hormone Therapy Alternatives?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
Links
Where may I find Links related to Hormone Therapy Alternatives?
Your Country may have Links similar to:
Links
This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.New or Updated
- Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
- BMS & WHC’s 2020 Recommendations on Hormone Replacement Therapy In Menopausal Women
- Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
- Complementary and Alternative Therapies Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Complementary/Alternative Therapies for Menopausal Women
- Compounded Bioidentical Hormone Therapy [Video]
- Contemporary Non-Hormonal Therapies for the Management of Vasomotor Symptoms Associated With Menopause: A Literature Review
- Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
- Dietary Intake and Menopausal Symptoms In Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review
- Effectiveness of Natural Therapies
- Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
- Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
- Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
- Gabapentin for Hot Flashes: What To Know
- HRT and Alternatives
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Alternatives
- Hot Flashes
- Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
- Information for Consumers on Using Dietary Supplements
- Integrative Medicine
- Is It Really ‘FDA Approved?’
- Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause
- Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms [+ Video: Talking Menopause With Your GP]
- Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
- Looking After Yourself
- Managing Menopausal Symptoms—Hormone Replacement Therapy Is Not the Only Option!
- Managing Menopause
- Managing Vasomotor Symptoms Effectively Without Hormones
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video]
- Mayo Clinic Minute: How Lifestyle Changes May Help Manage Menopause Symptoms [+ Video]
- Mayo Clinic Minute: What Is Integrative Health and How Can It Help? [+ Video]
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause & Herbs
- Menopause FAQs: Hot Flashes – Q. Is it safe to take dietary supplements or herbal therapies for my menopause symptoms?
- Menopause Management Fact Sheet
- Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
- Menopause Mindfulness: A Personal Toolkit for Menopause Preparedness
- Menopause Patient Information [Videos]
- Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
- Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 5. Lifestyle Advice In Menopause & Perimenopause
- Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Lifestyle Tips for Menopause
- Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Mindfulness & Wellbeing During the Menopause Transition
- Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Treating Vasomotor Symptoms of Menopause
- Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
- Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
- Menopause Treatment
- Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness
- Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t – Natural Therapies
- Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t – Non-Hormonal Prescription Medications
- Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t – Pharmacy-Compounded Hormone Therapy
- Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment
- Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause [NICE Guideline]
- Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Treating Menopausal Symptoms – Non-Prescribed Treatments [NICE Guideline]
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 4 Things To Know About Menopausal Symptoms and Complementary Health Practices
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 4 Tips: Start Talking With Your Health Care Providers About Complementary Health Approaches
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 6 Things To Know When Selecting A Complementary Health Practitioner
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Acupuncture: In Depth
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Black Cohosh
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Dietary and Herbal Supplements
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Meditation: In Depth
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth – What the Science Says About Complementary Health Approaches for Menopausal Symptoms
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Mind and Body Practices
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Red Clover
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Relaxation Techniques for Health
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Yoga: What You Need To Know
- Natural Remedies To Help Manage Perimenopause Symptoms
- Natural Therapies
- Natural Therapies & Supplements
- Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
- Non-Estrogen Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms
- Non-Hormonal Alternatives for Menopause [Video]
- NonHormonal Therapy Reduces Moderate To Severe Menopausal Hot Flashes
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Black Cohosh
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheets
- Optimising the Menopause Transition: Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause
- Phytoestrogens
- Prescribable Alternatives To HRT
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Study IDs Non-Hormonal Options for Menopause Symptoms
- The North American Menopause Society Releases Its 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement
- Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
- Using Natural Therapies In the Menopause Transition – Webinar
- Vaginal Dryness Alternative Treatments
- Video Series-2020: What You Need To Know About Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
- Video Series-2022: New Treatment Options for Menopause Symptoms Are Around the Corner
- Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
- Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: How Do I Deal With the Menopause After A Diagnosis of Gynaecological Cancer
- Webinars: Previous – What To Offer for Vasomotor Symptoms When MHT Is Contraindicated
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- Hamoda, H., Mukherjee, A., Morris, E., Baldeweg, S. E., Jayasena, C. N., Briggs, P., Moger, S. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published Online 10 June 2022:1-2. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20533691221104879 Accessed: 06 February 2023
- Hamoda, H., Mukherjee, A., Morris, E., Baldeweg, S. E., Jayasena, C. N., Briggs, P., Moger, S. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published Online 10 June 2022:1. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20533691221104879 Accessed: 06 February 2023
- Curry, H. Managing Menopausal Symptoms—Hormone Replacement Therapy Is Not the Only Option! 19 November 2021. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20533691211063191 Accessed: 06 February 2023
- Hamoda, H., Mukherjee, A., Morris, E., Baldeweg, S. E., Jayasena, C. N., Briggs, P., Moger, S. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published Online 10 June 2022:1-2. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20533691221104879 Accessed: 06 February 2023
- Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth – What the Science Says About Complementary Health Approaches for Menopause Symptoms: Mind and Body Practices. Last Updated: May 2017. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/menopausal-symptoms-in-depth Accessed: 06 February 2023
- Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth – What the Science Says About Complementary Health Approaches for Menopause Symptoms. Last Updated: May 2017. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/menopausal-symptoms-in-depth Accessed: 06 February 2023
- Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth – What the Science Says About Complementary Health Approaches for Menopause Symptoms. Last Updated: May 2017. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/menopausal-symptoms-in-depth Accessed: 06 February 2023
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Alternatives. Page Last Reviewed: 09 September 2019. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/alternatives/ Accessed: 06 February 2023
- Complementary/Alternative Therapies for Menopausal Women: Complementary and Alternative Treatments. Publication Date: September 2020. Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/complementaryalternative-therapies-menopausal-women/ Accessed: 06 February 2023
- Lambrinoudaki et al. Menopause Wellbeing and Health: A Care Pathway From the European Menopause and Andropause Society: 11. Complementary and Alternative Therapies. Published: 12 May 2022. https://www.maturitas.org/article/S0378-5122(22)00090-1/fulltext Accessed: 06 February 2023
- Curry, H. Managing Menopausal Symptoms—Hormone Replacement Therapy Is Not the Only Option! 19 November 2021. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20533691211063191 Accessed: 06 February 2023
- Menopause Management Options: Non Hormonal Prescription Medications: Antidepressants. Last Updated: 08 September 2022 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management Accessed: 06 February 2023
- Hot Flashes: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment: Antidepressants. 20 May 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hot-flashes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352795 Accessed: 06 February 2023
- Hot Flashes: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment: Other Prescription Medications. 20 May 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hot-flashes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352795 Accessed: 06 February 2023
- Top 10 Medical Innovations for 2022 Unveiled: 7. Non-Hormonal Alternatives for Menopause. Last Updated: 16 February 2022. Cleveland Clinic Consult QD https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/top-10-medical-innovations-for-2022-unveiled/ Accessed: 06 February 2023
- Hamoda, H., Mukherjee, A., Morris, E., Baldeweg, S. E., Jayasena, C. N., Briggs, P., Moger, S. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published Online 10 June 2022:4. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20533691221104879 Accessed: 06 February 2023
- The North American Menopause Society Releases Its 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement. 07 July 2022 North American Menopause Societyhttps://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/press-release/ht-position-statement-release.pdf Accessed: 06 February 2023
- Is It Really ‘FDA Approved?’ FDA Doesn’t Approve Compounded Drugs. Content Current As of: 10 May 2022. Food and Drug Administration https://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm047470.htm Accessed: 06 February 2023
- Menopause Treatment: Questions for Your Healthcare Provider. 24 January 2022. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/menopause-treatment Accessed: 06 February 2023
- Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause. Treatment for Menopausal Symptoms. Published Date: 12 November 2015. Last Updated: 05 December 2019. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG23/ifp/chapter/Questions-to-ask-about-menopause Accessed: 06 February 2023
- Complementary/Alternative Therapies for Menopausal Women. Published: September 2020. Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/complementaryalternative-therapies-menopausal-women/ Accessed: 06 February 2023