What experts are saying about non-hormonal treatments
Here's what the experts have to say.
Medical doctorLicensed practitionerResearcherCoachAdvocate
Quick facts
Non-hormonal treatments for menopause symptoms are discussed as categories including prescription medications, mind-body approaches, lifestyle topics, and nonprescription products. Experts below summarize position statements and symptom discussions differently. Individual suitability is presented as a provider discussion in these sources.
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Dr. Jen GunterOB/GYN and pain medicine physician
Medical doctor
Dr. Gunter summarizes a Menopause Society position statement on nonhormonal therapies for vasomotor symptoms.
Dr. Gunter organizes the position statement into lifestyle, mind-body, prescription medication, supplement, and other treatment categories. She discusses how the statement categorized different approaches for hot flashes and night sweats. She states that vasomotor symptoms can start several years before the final period. She gives an average duration of about 7-9 years in this post, while noting some people experience them longer.
Dr. Gunter summarizes meeting talks on CBT for hot flashes and CBT-I for sleep.
Dr. Gunter discusses cognitive behavioral therapy for hot flashes as an option presented at the meeting, including as an add-on therapy. She describes CBT-I for insomnia including when hot flashes are present as summarized from the meeting. She notes thoughts and mood affect physical experience as presented in the CBT discussion. This source is her summary of conference lectures.
Dr. Stacy SimsMSc, PhD, exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist
Researcher
Dr. Sims lists non-hormonal alternatives discussed for surgical menopause symptoms.
Dr. Sims lists SNRI/SSRIs, clonidine, gabapentin, cognitive behavioral therapies, and selective estrogen receptor modulators among alternatives discussed for people who cannot take hormones, as she presents them. She lists fezolinetant for vasomotor symptoms specifically in the article. She discusses hormone therapy as a separate category discussed with a physician. She presents individual plans as physician discussions.
Dr. Jolene BrightenBoard-certified naturopathic endocrinologist, FABNE, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP)
Licensed practitioner
Dr. Brighten discusses non-hormone topics in a broader perimenopause episode.
Dr. Brighten discusses hormone and non-hormone topics in the episode, including studies she cites on turmeric and vitamin E. She presents these topics as part of an overall discussion to review with a provider. She lists symptoms people may track in perimenopause. This is a broad perimenopause episode.
Dr. Mary Claire HaverMD, FACOG, MSCP, board-certified OB-GYN and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner
Medical doctor
Dr. Haver discusses lifestyle, nutrition, and non-hormone topics alongside hormone therapy.
Dr. Haver discusses nutrition, resistance training, sleep, and supplements in relation to menopause preparation and symptoms. She discusses hormone replacement therapy as a topic in the same episode. The episode covers mental health and body composition topics. This source presents non-hormonal topics within a broader discussion.
Dr. Gunter discusses nonprescription moisturizers and lubricants for GSM symptoms.
Dr. Gunter describes vaginal lubricants as on-demand products for sexual activity and moisturizers as products used regularly whether sexually active or not, as she presents them. She discusses water-based, silicone, oil, and hyaluronic acid-based moisturizer categories. She notes moisturizers are discussed alongside prescription GSM therapies with different goals. She presents therapy choice as a discussion of individual goals.