Get Informed: Menopausal Symptoms
1 in 60 Americans have Menopausal Symptoms
iGuard is currently monitoring more than 29,381 patients with Menopausal Symptoms from around the United States as shown on the heat map below. These figures suggest that roughly 5.01 million Americans have Menopausal Symptoms with this condition mostly affecting women.
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
Medications used for Menopausal Symptoms
Drugs commonly taken by iGuard.org users for Menopausal Symptoms are listed below, together with the percentage of patients that take each drug.
|
Commonly Used Medication Name* (Hover mouse over name to see medication class) |
% of Patients | Average Risk Rating | Has Generic Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexapro | 13% |
|
No |
| Omega 3 | 12% |
|
Yes |
| Effexor | 11% |
|
Yes |
| Prozac | 11% |
|
Yes |
| Zoloft | 10% |
|
Yes |
| Calcium | 10% |
|
Yes |
| Celexa | 8% |
|
Yes |
| Neurontin | 6% |
|
Yes |
Less than 5%: Catapres, Flaxseed Oil, Loestrin, Premarin, Seasonale, Vitamin E
*This list is NOT EXHAUSTIVE - Only drugs used by a sufficiently large number of iGuard.org users are listed.
**Medications are sometimes known by different brand/generic names, depending upon how they are packaged or used.
Global Patient Feedback for Menopausal Symptoms ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I have been in menopause for almost 2 years now, started perimenopause at age 39. Now I am 47. Every month I still get symptoms similar to premenstrual symptoms, bloating, fatigue, mood swings, nausea, etc. I have not been to my OB/GYN in a few years. Are these symptoms normal even in menopause? Would progesterone creams help?
47 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-25 10:35:31
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Any time there is a fluctuation in hormone levels, these symptoms are possible. It would be a good idea to make an appointment with your OB/GYN, as this is their area of expertise. Progesterone creams may help, and estrogen creams may help, as well as oral hormone supplements. However, these medications have risks of cancer and heart problems with long term use. Working with your doctor, the two of you can weigh the benefits and risks of your options to determine the best treatment for you.
Posted: 2009-09-27 10:33:13
Question/Comment:
I have read through every letter here, and haven't found one woman talking about the loss of sex drive! Am I the only one? I was left with NONE. I take testosterone every day orally, and it doesn't do much for me. What makes things worse for me is I have vaginal atrophy which makes having intercourse extremely painful, so besides using the estraderm patch I use estrace cream vaginally. It helps somewhat, but I have learned that it takes a lot of foreplay to get me to a point where I can relax enough to enjoy intercourse even a little bit. And orgasm?-forget about it. It's just a dim memory. I didn't go through such extremes re: hot flashes as I've heard other women talk about, but I can say that when menopause hit me my life changed dramatically in a matter of no more than two months-then no sex life! So ladies, talk to me please-am I the only one without a sex drive and missing it?
55 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-13 09:44:03
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
You are not alone, decreased libido is a side effect of menopause and sometimes hormone replacement therapy. If you are still concerned about this problem, speak with your doctor or gynecologist. You may need the doses of your medications adjusted. Pharmacies can compound specific doses of hormones, both topical and oral.
Posted: 2009-09-21 11:43:54
Answer/Reply:
Sex? Whats that? I dont even want to be touched!Pretty normal from what I hear.My husband got on testosterone and now I dont want to do anything.Orgasms are really good for your body though so its in our best interest to do it even if we dont feel like it.Kinda like practice;maybe itll become a habit!Ive got to go force myself to clean before I get another "wave" but wish u the best and hope u feel better.Black Cohosh is a miracle herb, I swear!Alot easier w/o the hot flashes anyway.Later.Jo
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-23 14:58:54
Question/Comment:
i have used cream and pills , i still have pain during sex, and i bleed as well.. they tell me i have a infection near my urethral, im using mupirocin ointment and sulfameth/trimethoprim 800/160... nothing seems to be working, it still hurt and sex is painful.. i dont know what to do ,, should i get everything taken out , all my female part..im 51, and i shouldnt be going threw this after menopause..i have too many health problem , then to have this to worry about ... please help me if you can.. thank jan
52 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-26 14:08:07
Answer/Reply:
Ive been in bed all wk;no shower,barely eating,crying and yelling at times.U feel like ur insane;but ur not!Just quit HRT gel and progesterone cause they made me worse.HRT can be dangerous!Call a pharmacy and ask them for one that does bio-identical.Black Cohosh WORKS on hot flashes almost right away.I was amazed!Try cutting down on stimulants and eat more soy,avacados,B12,D,Acidophilus.See a specialist for ur other med. issues and best of luck!U arent alone!In fact,ur one of thousands.God Bless
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-23 14:41:48
Question/Comment:
I am 50 yrs of age and I have had all the symptoms of memopause since the 90"s.I have been on birth controland no HRT!! I TOOK EFFEXLO XR,,KLONOPIN WAFERS FOR ANIEXTY FOR ANIEXTY I WAS TOLD .I DO NOT TAKE THE EFFEXLOR AY MORE BUT I DO THE TAKE KLONOPIN WAFERS WHEN I FEEL I NEED ONE !! I WENT TO A NEW OB-GYN DOCTOR JUST ON YESTERDAY !! I TOLD HER MY HEALTH HISTORY AND I ASKED FOR HELP WITH THE NIGHT SWEATS AND HOT FLASHES. I DID NOT WANT PILLS SO SHE GAVE ME THE PATCH !! NAME OF PATCH IS COMBI-PATCH!!LOW DOSE 0.05? I PLACED IT ON LAST NIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME . I NOTICED NO ONE ON THIS SITE HAS MENTIONED USING THIS PRODUCT ! HAVE ANYONE USED THIS HRT PATCH?ALSO I AM SURPRISED TO READ THAT ANTI-DEPRESSANT MEDS HELP SOME OF YOU WITH HOT FLASHES AND NIGHT SWEATS!! ONE READER INDICATED THAT BIO-IDENTICALS WORKED WELL WITH HER DO YOU HAVE A WEB -SITE THAT I CAN GET A LIST OF DOCTORS IN MY AREA.I HAVE ANIEXTY VERY VERY BAD ! I AM ALMOST HOME BOUND BECAUSE OF IT AND I HAVE LEARNED THAT A MED CALLED PRISTIG WORKS WONDERS !! DO YOU THINK THAT KLONOPIN WAFERS OR A MED CALLED PRISTIG WORKS BETTER OR ABOUT THE SAME ?THIS SITE IS WONDERFUL AND I AM A FIRST TIME READER . I HAVE LEARNED MANY WAYS TO HANDLE MY SITUATIONS. THANKS !!
51 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-22 16:09:57
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Pristiq is an antidepressant similar to Effexor XR. Some antidepressants will also help with anxiety as they help to balance the chemicals in the brain. Pristiq takes about 6 weeks to take see a full effect. As the chemicals balance though, it can offer a steadier control on anxiety and help to prevent anxiety attacks. Klonopin works more quickly. It can help to relieve an anxiety attack . It has an onset of 20-60 minutes. Discuss with your physician the severity of your anxiety and the best course of treatment for your specific case.
Bio-identical hormones are hormones designed to be in the same hormones in the exact concentrations of the human body. There are some commercially-available preparations, meaning they are made by drug companies and approved by the FDA. Others are made in compounding pharmacies and have not been approved by the FDA in their specific concentrations.
Posted: 2009-08-01 00:15:59
Answer/Reply:
Nothing wrong with Compound Pharmacys!!! They are making ALOT of people feel better by making Hormones That are made for what they SPECIFICALLY need in Hormones! Not as the regular Drug Companies "ONE SIZE FITS ALL"!!!
51 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-24 15:55:31
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
The medications that compounding pharmacies make are individually prepared and customized to meet the patient's required dose. Because these products customized, the product and procedure do not undergo FDA approval.
We did not mean to imply that compounding pharmacies are not legal or bad. Compounding pharmacies must comply with state and federal standards, just like any other pharmacy. Many compounding pharmacies also go through special training and certification. If you have any concerns about your compounding pharmacy, you may look for accreditation by the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB) or ask the pharmacist if the compounding pharmacy has any accreditation.
Posted: 2009-09-21 18:37:37
Answer/Reply:
I had a Complete Hysterectomy in February 2009. I was having Hot Flashes ALL NIGHT! I went on Bio-Identical Hormones and no longer have Hot Flashes (unless I miss my Doses). Also much to my surprise I have had no need for my anti-depressant! If I am in a Circumstance where I get anxiety, I can take an Ativan to take the edge off. I did lose sensation in my breast due to the Hysterectomy but the Compound Pharmacist says to use the Testosterone on my nipples. Will see if that works. Have only been trying that for a couple of weeks.
Hope this helps!
Michele in Indiana
51 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-24 15:52:00
Answer/Reply:
Try doing a search for sotto pelle therapy. It will bring you to a site which will explain what it does for you and where their offices are across the USA.
55 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-13 09:14:49
Question/Comment:
At 42 years old I think I am beginning to have pre-menopause symptoms like hot and cold flashes but since my Mom isn't around anymore I don't have any female whom I would ask about this cycle in my life and I don't want to ask my friends because at the moment I am embarressed when I have an episode that I usually have to leave the room like Bible study to cool off even get a glass of water. Any help, advise or even help understanding what is going on with my body at this time would be greatly appreciated.
42 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-18 15:28:01
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
It would be best to make an appointment with your physician to discuss your symptoms. Your physician can test hormone levels and run other tests to properly diagnose your current condition. Together you can best decide how to treat your symptoms so that you may possibly return to your regular activities without embarrassment. Also, remember that all women will go through this phase of life. Your friends and fellow Bible study members will too. They can be the support that you need if you are indeed beginning to enter pre-menopause.
Posted: 2009-07-21 01:04:46
Answer/Reply:
Johanna here.I swear by Black Cohosh!It worked for me immediately!Im still fighting other symptoms;heading towards bio=identical hormones.Just quit HRT;waiting to see if that helps.Please pray for me at your prayer mtgs and I will do the same for u!I do believe in miracles;dont ever feel alone.God sees everything and He'll make sure ur ok.Im talking to myself as much as to u!This site is a must for me right now.So many women suffering.Youd think drs would know what to do;guess its up to us!:) Jo
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-23 14:49:50
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Patient Comments about
Menopausal Symptoms