Antidepressants as an Alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy

Now that the side effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy are widely known, many women and their doctors are looking for different types of medicine to treat menopause symptoms.

One effective method of relieving menopause symptoms, especially hot flushes, could be taking prescribed antidepressants and this is becoming the norm for many women experiecing the menopause.

Antidepressants are an alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy.

Two types of antidepressants that are regularly prescribed to relieve menopause symptoms are:

1. SSRIs (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) which include paroxetine, fluoxetine and citalopram
2. SNRIs (Serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors) such as venlafaxine

However, before you start to take antidepressants as an alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy, it’s important to realize that they can also have side effects. These include:

• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Digestive problems
• Dry mouth
• Loss or gain in appetite
• Sleeping problems or fatigue
• Increased sweating

Some people feel that by prescribing antidepressants some doctors are just looking for a quick fix solution to menopause symptoms instead of encouraging women to try lifestyle and diet changes that may be equally beneficial.

Others dislike the association of antidepressants with menopause, because although many women do experience low moods during this period of their lives this does not necessarily mean they are clinically depressed.

If you are looking for alternatives to Hormone Replacement Therapy there are many natural and complementary therapies you can try. Over the next weeks we’ll be looking at natural ways to relieve menopause symptoms.

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