Menopause Treatments
Stanford Health Care is a full-service destination for perimenopause and menopause care. You receive comprehensive treatment backed by the latest research and expert guidance to help you live a full, vibrant life.
- Nationally recognized menopause specialists certified by the Menopause Society (formerly the North American Menopause Society), International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, and American Board of Lifestyle Medicine
- Safe and effective treatments, including hormone therapy (HT), nonhormonal medications, and behavioral and lifestyle approaches
- Clinical trials that offer early access to new treatments for menopause symptoms and related conditions
- Team of multidisciplinary specialists with advanced expertise in menopause-related issues such as heart, bone, breast, and brain health. We also provide guidance on sleep and mood disturbances, nutrition and weight management, cancer genetics, sexual dysfunction, and urinary incontinence.
- Easy access to our experts through video visits and in-person locations throughout the Bay Area
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Our menopause experts work with you to develop a plan to minimize your symptoms and boost your overall health. Your comprehensive treatment plan may include one or more therapy options:
Hormone therapy (HT) restores some of the hormones your ovaries no longer produce. For most women, HT is a safe and effective method for:
- Managing menopause symptoms
- Restoring vaginal function
- Slowing bone loss
- Supporting heart health
If your uterus was removed in a hysterectomy, your HT may include only estrogen. If you still have your uterus, your doctor will add some type of progesterone to the estrogen. Without progesterone as a balance, estrogen alone will cause the uterus lining to grow over time, increasing the risk of endometrial cancer.
Your doctor considers your personal and family medical history when determining if HT might be right for you. HT comes in different forms, including:
- Patch
- Pill
- Gel
- Spray
- Cream
- Vaginal ring
Some products without hormones can alleviate perimenopause and menopause symptoms. Nonhormonal treatments include:
- Antidepressants: These drugs may help with hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes.
- Fezolinetant: This medication blocks the brain signals producing hot flashes and night sweats.
- Gabapentin: This drug can improve sleep and decrease hot flashes and night sweats.
- Over-the-counter lubricants and moisturizers: These products can provide short-term relief for dryness and sexual pain.
Specialized physical therapy can strengthen the pelvic floor muscles to increase vaginal and bladder function in menopause. It can help improve:
- Sexual function
- Urinary incontinence
Sleep specialists at the Women’s Wellness Clinic can provide sleep assessments. Sleep assessments help diagnose and treat sleep disorders that can worsen during menopause, including:
Lifestyle changes can help control your perimenopause and menopause symptoms. You can:
- Avoid triggers like caffeine, alcohol, or spicy food.
- Cool your body with a fan and dress in layers you can easily remove.
- Eat a healthy diet focused primarily on whole vegetables, fruits, and grains. Weight loss when overweight will improve all menopause symptoms.
- Exercise to boost your overall well-being. Our Lifestyle Medicine specialists can provide you with an exercise prescription specifically designed for menopause.
- Practice relaxation techniques such as paced breathing, yoga, and massage.
- Stop or don’t start smoking or using tobacco or vaping products.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT or talk therapy) can give you a toolkit for managing the hot flashes, mood disturbances, and poor sleep that often occur in menopause. You’ll learn to identify your negative thoughts and reframe them in a more positive way. This therapy has been shown to significantly improve many menopausal symptoms.
Losing weight can help alleviate hot flashes. Our menopause specialists, in conjunction with providers at the Stanford Bariatric and Metabolic Interdisciplinary Clinic, offer medical and surgical weight loss treatments. Candidates include women with a body mass index (BMI):
- Greater than 30
- Greater than 27 with other conditions