Managing Vasomotor Symptoms of Menopause: A Topline Comparison of Treatments
Medical and nonpharmacologic treatment options for VMS range in efficacy and risk/benefit profile; a short slide show offers a topline look at how many compare.
Hormone therapy remains the gold standard for treatment of vasomotor symptoms of menopause.1
Fezolinetant, a nonhormonal therapy that suppresses symptoms by It works by binding to and blocking the activities of the neurokinin-3 receptor, which plays a role in hypothalamic regulation of body temperature.2,3
Selective serotonin and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors have been found to reduce the frequency of hot flashes and to improve mood in women experiencing VMS.4
Gabapentin has a large body of evidence for its success in reducing the intensity, duration, and frequency of hot flashes associated with menopause.5
Lifestyle modifications to moderate VMS, such as weight loss, smoking cessation, reducing alcohol consumption, increasing physical activity show modest effects on symptoms but do contribute to overall better health during the transition.6
Cognitive behavioral therapy can help reduce the impact of VMS on quality of life by targeting stress, low mood and disturbed sleep. Reduced frequency of VMS has been seen in some trials, but not all.7
Mind-body interventions to help manage bothersome symptoms of menopause have variable evidence to support their efficacy for specific relief of VMS; however, many are helpful for stress reduction and to support overall physical and psychological well-being.8
Many herbal remedies and dietary supplements have been studied for relief of VMS, although there is no clear evidence to support any of them. Further, they pose risks of side effects, sometimes harmful, and may also interact with prescribed medications. Careful counseling for women considering their use is advised.8
For many women navigating the menopausal transition, vasomotor symptoms (VMS) such as hot flashes and night sweats are more than just inconvenient—they’re disruptive, persistent, and often undertreated. Progressively deeper understanding of the neuroendocrine mechanisms behind these symptoms is driving changes in the therapeutic landscape. From established hormone therapies to novel nonhormonal agents and integrative approaches, women have an increasing number of options to help them tailor treatment of VMS that aligns with their specific needs and preferences.
The short slide show above provides a quick refresher on the choices for both medical and alternative and complementary treatment, comparing their efficacy key benefits and risks, and suggesting who the best candidate for each type of therapy might be.
