7 best over-the-counter medications for menopause

*Review of the best according to the editorial board. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective, not an advertisement and is not intended as a guide to purchase. It is necessary to consult with a specialist before purchase.

The female body, unlike the male, lives tenser, and experiences fluctuations in the hormonal background. It is not difficult to understand that this is related to the need to be ready for conception, pregnancy and childbirth. But the female body has a certain time limit on the normal functioning of the genital organs. Gradually, the fertile period, or the time when a woman is free to become pregnant, bear and give birth, ends. And then the period of menopause, or menopause, begins. It is a period during which the body tries to smoothly readjust, and complete the hormonal fluctuations associated with reproductive function.

Usually in modern women it is the age of 45-50 years. At the beginning of this period, the ovarian-menstrual cycle still retains some regularity, and at the end, a steady menopause develops. This is the name given to the condition in which the hormonal background ceases to change, the ovarian-menstrual cycle ends, and menstruation along with it.

Like any hormonal change, the menopausal period makes adjustments in the life of the modern woman, as new, often diverse symptoms appear. There are several types of menopause, but what they all have in common is a decrease in the quality of life associated with decreased blood plasma estrogen levels.

Most often, the symptoms of menopause can include a decrease in libido, the appearance of irritability, anxiety. Functional disorders of the cardiovascular system manifest themselves in the form of tachycardia, as well as hot flashes, which have already become a classic symptom. This is the name given to the condition when a woman suddenly “rushes into a fever,” and it is felt, mainly by the skin of the face, chest and neck. Quite often the flushes occur in the evening, and last for a few minutes. In menopausal women are often bothered by night sweats, shortness of breath, weakness. It’s not uncommon to feel sleepy during the day. In connection with a decrease in estrogen levels there is a decrease in elasticity and turgor of the skin, wrinkles appear, trophicity of subcutaneous tissue decreases. Menopause occurs after menopause. The drop in hormone levels eventually causes a disorder such as osteoporosis, or thinning of the bone tissue structure with a drop in mechanical strength.

Menopause can proceed as a usually functional disorder, in which case, to improve the quality of life and eliminate its unpleasant symptoms, you can use the remedies that are listed in the following rating of drugs. But it also happens that the severity of signs during menopause is so significant that treatment by a gynecologist, or gynecologist-endocrinologist is required. In some cases, women even experience lower back and lower abdominal pain, dryness of the mucous membranes of the genitalia. These signs require regular medical monitoring and treatment.

This rating will list groups of drugs that are used for anxiety and worry, as well as mildly acting herbal medicines containing phytoestrogens, as an analogue of hormone replacement therapy. There is no mention here of the hormonal preparations, before the use of which it is obligatory to consult a doctor.

All prices mentioned in the ranking are taken from public sources, are averages, and are in effect at the end of 2018, for pharmacies of all types of ownership.

It is assumed that the material outlined is intended for a focus group of menopausal women. Some of the drugs listed below have contraindications such as pregnancy, breastfeeding and childhood. But since the rating is dedicated to the menopausal period, in which there is no pregnancy and lactation, and which, moreover, does not occur in children, we will not mention these contraindications in the review. Those who want to get full information should refer to the official instructions.

Rating of the best drugs for menopause

The best sedatives for menopause

This section could be called something else – “tranquilizers”. But it is no coincidence that the word “sedatives” is here. Although they are the same thing, it is generally accepted that tranquilizers are drugs that are prescribed by a doctor for certain indications, and are sold by prescription. These include benzodiazepines, such as Diazepam, Grandaxin, Elenium or Relanium, and others. But in our case, we will consider sedatives, for which you do not need a prescription and you can not even go to the doctor. These are over-the-counter medications, and their role is to reduce the secondary link between menopausal symptoms and their subsequent anxious anticipation.

Their intake leads to an improvement in overall well-being, a change in a woman’s attitude toward the same hot flashes and sweating, a decrease in central and peripheral nervous system excitement. As a result of regular use of these mild remedies, the expectation of unpleasant symptoms is reduced, they occur less often, and their tolerance is improved. Thus, without directly affecting either hormonal changes or symptoms, these remedies improve the quality of life. They are inexpensive, have few or no contraindications, and are recommended by experts as non-specific (non-hormonal) first-line remedies to relieve the unpleasant symptoms of menopause.

Persen

Rating: 4.9

This is a combined herbal remedy, it includes valerian, melissa and mint. Of course, you can use just valerian extract in tablets or in drops, but the presence of melissa and mint increases the calming effect, and adds antispasmodic effect against the smooth muscles of internal organs. It is known that hot flashes and functional disorders such as shortness of breath, heart palpitations (tachycardia) often lead to unpleasant and painful sensations in the chest, abdomen, discomfort in the intestines, which worsens health. Persen allows you to reduce the severity of these symptoms, and the woman treats it more calmly.

It is indicated in the menopausal period with increased nervous excitability, irritability and symptoms such as insomnia. Persen is available in tablets, the average dosage – 2 or 3 tablets at a time, for 2-3 times a day. The official instruction limits the maximum dosage to twelve pills a day, and the maximum course of treatment – no more than 2 months. Produces the drug Persen pharmaceutical company Lek from Slovenia, and the average cost of one pack of 40 tablets is 420 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Persen is liked by many people, and not only during the menopause. It is able to calm down and with serious mental and physical stress, but its inconvenience is reduced to the need to take several pills at once, which is not very convenient. In addition, Persen is contraindicated for business women, because it can cause impairment of concentration, and slow down the reaction time. It is not recommended to take it on the eve of driving. In addition Persen is able to enhance the effect of sleeping pills and other drugs that depress the central nervous system. Therefore, if a woman during menopause also takes drugs to reduce blood pressure, their action may be stronger against Persen, and in this case requires a doctor’s consultation before its first use. That is why Persen is contraindicated for low blood pressure.

Fitosedan number 2

Rating: 4.8

Fitosedan belongs to the complex herbal gatherings, and relaxes well in the mild and moderate course of menopause. It consists of herbs motherwort, hops, peppermint, valerian and licorice. It is sold in a filter bag for brewing. Such a well-chosen mixture has a sedative and mild antispasmodic effect. Phytosedan and Persen can be considered very similar, with Persen being more concentrated and sold in tablets, while Phytosedan must be brewed, which in itself is already a sedative.

It is also indicated for increased nervous irritability and sleep disorders, which often occur during menopause. It is shown in women, who during hormonal restructuring quite often have blood pressure fluctuations with a tendency to increase it.

Two 2 g filter packs should be brewed at once, the total volume of boiling water is 100 ml. After insisting for 20 minutes, the sachets are squeezed, then bring to the volume of a glass (200 ml) and drink. Usually during the menopause is enough 2 times a day for half an hour before a meal. Produces sedative fee Fitosedan number 2 domestic pharmaceutical company Krasnogorsklexredstva, which specializes in the production of herbal products. One pack of 50 filter bags for 25 doses, an average price of 90 rubles, which is not expensive.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of Fitosedan is a peculiar procedure of preparation, which in the right conditions can already cause a relaxing effect, like a “tea ceremony”. Fitosedan practically has no contraindications except for individual intolerance, many people like it due to the sweet flavor of licorice. Some women prefer to use it just once a day, half an hour before bedtime, as a mild herbal sleep aid. Price Fitosedan very attractive. On the other hand, the disadvantages are an extension of the advantages. Fitosedan difficult to use, while at work, because not always there is an opportunity to brew sachets even during a regulated break, in this sense, the pills have a known advantage. Finally, if you break the bag by accident, the finished infusion will not be spoiled, but its taste will be reduced.

Deprim is an extract of St. John’s wort (Gelarium, Negrustin, Neuroplant)

Rating: 4.8

It is known that St. John’s wort extract acts with almost the same potency as prescription drugs from the benzodiazepine group, so it is deservedly considered an antidepressant of plant origin. It is used even for such disorders as depressive episodes of not only mild, but also moderate severity. One tablet of Deprim contains at least 60 mg of the herb St. John’s wort, and the active ingredient is hypericin.

Apply Deprim and its analogues containing St. John’s wort, not so much for hot flashes, tachycardia, periodic rises in blood pressure, but only when these symptoms are intensely emotional. Women may experience varying degrees of these signs, from vague anxiety to intense feelings of fear and hopelessness. It is in such cases and shows the prescription of drugs St. John’s wort. It is important to remember that the effect develops gradually, and do not wait for improvement earlier than 10 days. The average duration of the course of application is about a month and a half.

Deprim should be administered one tablet three times a day. It is desirable to apply it without omissions, and if the omission did take place, it is necessary to compensate for the missed appointment as quickly as possible. Produces Deprim company Lek from Slovenia, and the cost of one pack, designed for 10 days of admission, is, on average, about 250 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Perhaps Deprim and its analogues are suitable for those women who fundamentally do not want to “get hooked on pills”, and try to use herbal remedies. After all, if a woman sees a doctor, who will prescribe a mild tranquilizer (eg, Grandaxin), she will get about the same effect, but not for 10 days, but much sooner. And here the advantage of Deprim will be the naturalness. In addition, all St. John’s wort preparations have one feature: they can cause sunburn if exposed to the sun for a long time – cause photosensitization to ultraviolet rays. While taking Deprim, the safest period is in winter, and in summer you need to cover yourself from the rays of direct sun. Otherwise, this remedy is very popular and effective, and can be used for various types of menopausal disorders associated with anxiety-depressive symptoms. Of the disadvantages – it is not very convenient to take the drug 3 times, as well as the need to monitor the replenishment of missed doses.

Aphobasol

Rating: 4.7

Aphobazole is quite actively used in our country as a tranquilizer, and not only in the menopausal period with pronounced symptoms, but also in anxiety disorders, neurasthenia, insomnia disorders, premenstrual syndrome, vegetovascular dystonia and even in the development of withdrawal in patients with alcoholism and drug addiction. The drug contains a special active ingredient – fabomotisol in a dose of 5 mg in each tablet. It belongs to the group of anxiolytics of the non-benzodiazepine series. The manufacturer claims that it acts on the neuronal receptors in the brain, which causes them to stabilize and increase their sensitivity to inhibitory influences.

Afobazol reduces anxiety and slightly stimulates, or activates. As a result, Afobazol can help women in the menopausal period, who are constantly afraid of something, frightened, who have tearfulness or constant lethargy, there are symptoms of the equivalent of anxiety disorder, ranging from cardiovascular to gastrointestinal. The drug starts to work actively on the 5th – 7th day of intake, and the greatest effect develops by the end of the month.

Appointed Aphobazol one tablet three times a day, and the duration of the course is on average about 1 month, but under indications it can be increased to three. Produces Afobazol domestic company Pharmstandard, and the cost of one pack of 60 pills, designed for 3 weeks of treatment, is 460 rubles on average.

Advantages and disadvantages

According to the manufacturer, the advantage of Afobazole is its high selectivity for specific neuronal receptors. This drug is sold without prescription and is indicated for a fairly wide range of diseases and conditions, from withdrawal to vegetative dystonia. Afobazol does not cause sleepiness, addiction, and practically does not lead to the development of side effects. On the other hand, this drug is virtually unknown in countries with advanced medicine.

The best herbal medicines and phytoestrogens for menopause

Phytoestrogens have a long history. At the end of XX century it was found that women in Japan and China have fewer heart attacks and strokes, they have less frequent malignant diseases of the genital organs, and thus menopause in them proceeds much easier. The study found that Asian women eat large amounts of soy and soy products. It was found that the composition of soybeans and some other plants contain special estrogen-like substances. These are equol, genistein, and other compounds. Unlike real estrogen, which fits to the receptor 100%, as a key to the lock, phytoestrogens only resemble a hormonal structure, and therefore their connection to the receptors is much weaker.

Still, they resemble real estradiol, and can have a therapeutic effect in menopausal disorders. Compared with a placebo, that is nothing, the reduction in the frequency of hot flashes, tachycardia, and other unpleasant symptoms of menopause was reduced by 12%, and this suggests that they can be used in the complex treatment of menopausal disorders. There are now quite a few preparations of this line. The main active ingredient is a botanical extract from red clover, linseed, licorice, red grapes, soybeans, hops, and cymicifuga.

In addition, there is evidence of drugs that do not have estrogenic activity, but nevertheless improve the quality of life in menopause. We are talking about lipid peroxidation blockers. These accelerate the onset of menopause and activate the signs of skin aging. Such most effective blockers of free-radical processes include dihydroquercetin, provided on the market by taxifolin Baikalsky.

Climadinone

Rating: 4.9

A popular and effective one is Climadinone, or cimicifuga extract. A single tablet containing 20 mg of the active phytoestrogens extract from this plant has been approved by the manufacturer as a herbal anti-hypermicidal treatment. In addition, Klimadinon is also available in drops, It mainly affects the autonomic nervous system, and with a mild to moderate course of the menopause can significantly weaken or even completely reduce the unpleasant symptoms associated with autonomic disorders. These include the well-known hot flashes, hyperhidrosis, or increased sweating, nervousness, sleep disturbances, as well as changes in mood.

Apply Klimadinon should be one tablet twice a day, morning and evening, at about the same time to mimic the release of natural hormones of the female body. Remember, Klimadinon does not work immediately, and the effect developed an average of 10-14 days after the start of treatment. It is the doctor who determines the duration of the course, but, on average, it is about 1 to 2 months. Produces Klimadinon German company Bionorika, and the cost of a pack of 60 pills, just for a month course, an average of 485 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of Climadinone is its physiological mild action, and it has none of the contraindications that must be considered when prescribing potent hormonal drugs. If the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, sweating and tachycardia are expressed only slightly, only with its help you can cope with these symptoms without resorting to other drugs. This allows you to significantly improve the quality of life by “small means”. However, note that the effect develops only after 2 weeks of use of this remedy. Although its cost is low, but in some cases it requires a course of treatment lasting more than a month, which leads to costs in the region of about 1.000 rubles. It is also contraindicated in the presence of epilepsy, chronic liver disease, and if a woman has an alcohol addiction, it is contraindicated Klimadinon in drops, as it contains ethyl alcohol.

Estrovel

Rating: 4.8

The following remedy, containing phytoestrogens, is a full-fledged complex product estroel. Unlike Climadinone, it contains not only tsimitsifuga, but also soybean extract, wild yam, which contains progesterone precursors, indole-3 -arbinol, which prevents the harmful effects of hormones in premenstrual syndrome and menopausal disorders. Also this compound reduces the risk of malignant neoplasms.

Estrovel contains an extract of nettle, vitamin K, which can level out hot flashes and reduce the severity of mood swings, as well as boron in organic form. It enhances the effect of phytoestrogens. Also in this complex remedy contains more iron, rutin magnesium and other useful vitamins and trace elements. It is indicated for menopause and premenstrual syndrome, can improve mood and increase sexual activity.

Estrovel comes in capsule and tablet form: 520 mg capsules and 500 mg tablets. Estrovel should be used during menopause: one tablet once or twice a day, the duration of use – at least 2 months. The maximum dosage – 4 tablets a day. As for the drug in capsules, it must be used according to a certain scheme, which is related to the days of the menstrual cycle, and therefore the capsule drug must be used as prescribed by the doctor. Produces Estrovel pharmaceutical company VneshtorgPharma (Russia), and the cost of a package of 30 capsules for two weeks of treatment in an average dose of about 460 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

A great advantage of Estrovel is its unique combination of natural compounds, vitamins and trace elements, which cannot be found anywhere else. So it can replace several types of drugs at once. However, as in the previous case, do not hope that taking Estravel alone can reduce the significantly pronounced symptoms of menopause, in which sometimes there is even a disability. In addition, the cost of the drug is quite high. A one-month course will cost considerably more than a thousand rubles, especially if maximum dosages are used.

Taxifolin

Rating: 4.8

Dihydroquercetin, or Taxifolin Baikalsky, which is the most highly effective dihydroquercetin, has no structural similarity to phytoestrogens, so it cannot be considered a substitute for the female sex hormones. Its role is different. It is known that the menopausal period is associated with a planned deficiency of estrogens and progestins due to a decrease in their secretion. Hormones have a lot of application points and affect almost all aspects of metabolism of various substances.

Hormone deficiency leads to stress at a cellular level, which manifests as unpleasant symptoms of menopause. These temporary functional disorders, however, contribute to an increase in free radical oxidation in many organs and tissues, there is not a chronic, but very noticeable lack of energy and oxygen, activates lipid peroxidation.

And Dihydroquercetin, or Taxifolin Baikal, actively combats this tissue stress. As a result, the metabolism is normalized, harmful radicals are utilized and bound. Dihydroquercetin, or Taxifolin Baikal, is such an active compound because of the unique crystal structure of the molecule, the appearance of which is associated with the peculiarities of the production cycle. The result is a highly active and most pure form of this natural bioflavonoid isolated from Siberian larch, which leaves behind all analogues in antioxidant activity.

A woman appears vivacity, a good mood, the symptoms of menopausal disorders are reduced, the physiological norm of blood pressure is restored. Taksifolin Baikalsky should be taken 1 capsule with food, the course of treatment is 1.5 months. A pronounced effect associated with a reduction in menopausal symptoms and general liveliness develops on day 5 – 7 of taking it. Produces Taxifolin Baikalsky company Siberian Cedar, and the cost of one package, designed for a month of taking, ranges from 950 to 1300 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

A big plus of Taxifolin Baikalsky is its ability to act gently, stabilize blood pressure, reduce the severity of hot flashes and sweating. If it is used in combination therapy, it helps to reduce the dosage of medicines and save a certain amount of money. But most importantly, in this case, it reduces the drug load on the liver. Taxifolin can be used in a variety of cases, ranging from the feeling of intimate dryness to the symptoms of irritability and agitation. The disadvantage of Taxifolin is its recent appearance on the pharmaceutical market, and the temporary lack of information about it among doctors of various specialties. Almost all of the produced amount of the unique drug goes to export, and at present this remedy in the Russian Federation is distributed through a dealer network, and in pharmacies is rare.