menopause - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Testosterone Patch Improves Sexual Functioning in Postmenopausal Women

Sexual dysfunction is common among postmenopausal women and include a spectrum of problems, including low (or hypoactive) sexual desire, decreased satisfaction, and discomfort. Reports indicate that the prevalence of hypoactive sexual desire ranges from 9% in naturally postmenopausal women up to 26% in younger surgically postmenopausal women. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine evaluates the effectiveness of the testosterone patch for postmenopausal women with low sexual desire.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T12:08:50-04:00December 1st, 2008|Menopausal Symptoms|1 Comment

Acupuncture for Hot Flushes in Women with Breast Cancer

Many women report vasomotor symptoms, including hot flushes and night sweats, during the menopausal transition. While estrogen is clearly one of the most effective treatments for vasomotor symptoms, recent concerns regarding the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have made treaters much more reluctant to recommend HRT, even for short-term management of vasomotor symptoms.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T15:17:58-04:00September 30th, 2008|Menopausal Symptoms|0 Comments

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for the Treatment of Menopausal Hot Flashes: A Pilot Study

Hot flashes are a common and distressing symptom of menopause, affecting approximately 60-70 % of women undergoing the menopausal transition. Several pharmacologic treatments for hot flashes, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and some antidepressants, have been shown to reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes. However, some women prefer not to use HRT or antidepressants and seek alternative treatments, such as homeopathic or herbal remedies. Many of these alternative treatments have not yet been evaluated for safety or efficacy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T15:16:17-04:00September 29th, 2008|Menopausal Symptoms|0 Comments

Citalopram (Celexa) Effective for Treating Hot Flashes

For decades, estrogen has been used to treat menopausal symptoms, including night sweats and hot flushes. However, after studies reported that estrogen may have an adverse effect on risk for cardiovascular disease and breast cancer, many patients and clinicians have looked into alternative treatments for hot flashes, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T10:34:32-04:00September 8th, 2008|Menopausal Symptoms|18 Comments

Antidepressants and Risk for Osteoporosis

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) account for approximately 62% of all antidepressants prescribed in the United States. There have been several recent studies suggesting that SSRIs may lower bone mineral density in individuals over the age of 65. However, depression itself has been shown to decrease bone mineral density and has also been associated with an increased risk of hip fractures in older women.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2018-06-17T23:22:37-04:00August 15th, 2008|Menopausal Symptoms|1 Comment

Interactions Between Antidepressants and Tamoxifen

Women receiving tamoxifen for the treatment or prevention of breast cancer should be aware of possible drug-drug interactions with specific antidepressant medications (e.g., SSRI). These antidepressants are used widely to treat depression and anxiety disorders. In addition, multiple studies have shown that these antidepressants are an effective non-hormonal treatment for hot flashes; over 25% of women who are experiencing hot flashes related to tamoxifen therapy are now prescribed antidepressants to manage their symptoms.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2019-11-03T22:30:23-04:00June 18th, 2008|Antidepressants, Menopausal Symptoms|5 Comments

Acupuncture for the Treatment of Menopausal Hot Flashes

Many women report vasomotor symptoms, including hot flushes and night sweats, during the menopausal transition. While estrogen is clearly one of the most effective treatments for vasomotor symptoms, recent concerns regarding the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have made treaters much more reluctant to recommend HRT, even for short-term management of vasomotor symptoms. A recent study has demonstrated that acupuncture may be an effective non-hormonal treatment for vasomotor symptoms.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T11:54:30-04:00March 31st, 2008|Menopausal Symptoms|4 Comments

Hormone Replacement Therapy Revisited

As a result of dramatically increased life expectancies in industrialized countries, healthy women today expect to spend nearly 40% of their lives after menopause. For these postmenopausal women, lack of estrogen may contribute to long-term adverse effects, including cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Many postmenopausal women might benefit from hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with estrogens and progestins; however, a number of recent studies in the USA and Europe suggest that the potential risks of hormonal replacement therapy may sometime exceed the expected benefits. Thus, many treaters now avoid the use of hormone replacement therapy in peri- and postmenopausal women.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T10:42:52-04:00March 13th, 2008|Menopausal Symptoms|2 Comments

Desvenlafaxine for the Treatment of Menopausal Hot Flushes

Last Friday, Wyeth received FDA approval for the antidepressant desvenlafaxine succinate (marketed under the name Pristiq), a metabolite of venlafaxine or Effexor. Although this drug was approved for the treatment of major depression, a recent study has demonstrated that desvenlafaxine could be an effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T10:37:31-04:00March 7th, 2008|Menopausal Symptoms|1 Comment

Paroxetine CR May Be Helpful for Menopausal Women Discontinuing Hormone Therapy

Estrogen was first approved by the FDA for the treatment of menopausal symptoms in 1942, and for many decades estrogen replacement therapy had been widely prescribed for peri- and post-menopausal women. In 2002, however, data from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) suggested that hormonal therapy may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease. These findings have led to a dramatic decrease in the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), with many women abruptly discontinuing its use.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T10:53:58-04:00November 12th, 2007|Menopausal Symptoms|1 Comment