Other Drug Therapies for Menopause

A class of drugs called SSRIs (such as Prozac and Zoloft) is very effective in treating menopause-related symptoms of depression or mood changes. Vitamin E and Clonidine, a drug typically used for high blood pressure, can alleviate hot flashes. To prevent osteoporosis, bisphosphonates, alendronate, raloxifene and calcitonin are used in women who are at high risk for bone loss. Lastly, a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs called HMG-CoA-reductase inhibitors (statins) are proven to be effective for reducing risk of heart disease and are being explored to prevent osteoporosis. No alternatives to estrogen exist for prevention of Alzheimer's disease, colon cancer, and macular degeneration - diseases for which preliminary evidence suggests hormone therapy is beneficial.