Peoria Standard

The transition to menopause can bring a range of symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, irregular periods, and anxiety. Many women seek ways to manage these changes and may consider over-the-counter remedies.

Dennis Sands, MD, gynecologist and chief medical officer at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center in Alton, Illinois, cautions against relying on non-prescription medications marketed for menopause relief. “In general, a lot of the at-home remedies are marketed very well. They are touted as cure-alls or things that will work for the most common complaints, like hot flashes,” Dr. Sands says. “What we’ve found is most of them don’t work.”

Dr. Sands notes that these products are sold as dietary supplements rather than pharmaceuticals, allowing manufacturers more flexibility in making claims about their effectiveness. He points out that some supplements contain ingredients such as vitamins, soy, or phytoestrogens—Equelle being a common brand—but their impact is often limited and not universal among users. He emphasizes that symptoms like irregular bleeding typically require evaluation by a health care provider to rule out other causes and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Dr. Sands highlights the importance of maintaining overall health during menopause. “We’ve noticed that people who are healthy overall, exercise well, sleep well and are in good relationships generally do pretty well in the menopausal transition,” he says. “The more stress people are under, the more they’re not as healthy as they could be, the more their sleep is disturbed. It seems a lot of those people tend to have a more difficult transition.”

Medical options such as estrogen patches and progesterone creams may be effective for some women, particularly younger patients experiencing menopause symptoms. Providers may also review other medications patients are taking to determine if they contribute to symptom severity.

“If you’re struggling, see your provider and review all the options,” Dr. Sands suggests. “There are some great options that are effective and safe. Generally, they’re only used for a short time to get people through the transition.”

Additional information on menopause can be found in resources such as this introduction to menopause or tips on how to cope with perimenopause.