- Sexual Health
- Women’s Health
Menopause
Menopause treatment available online today
In order to treat your menopause symptoms, consult with one of our board-certified doctors online today to prescribe medications to get relief from discomfort and mood changes. Get a new prescription to treat menopause symptoms or refill an existing prescriptions today.*
Book an appointmentPersonalized Menopause Care
Begins around the age of 45 to 55
Manage mood changes effectively
*Prescriptions are provided at the doctor's discretion. Learn more about our controlled substances policy and how to save up to 80% with our prescription discount card. PlushCare doctors cannot treat all cases of menopause. Our primary care physicians can conduct an initial evaluation of your symptoms, but may need to refer you to a specialist or for in-person treatment. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Learn about menopause
In a woman's life, menopause occurs when her ovaries no longer produce eggs, so she cannot conceive. Menopause usually occurs between the age of 45 to 55, but it can happen earlier or later. After menopause, a woman's hormone levels (estrogen and progesterone) drop sharply, causing changes in her body.
Menopause causes
There are a variety of menopause causes, ranging from the natural aging process to more severe conditions such as cancer. The most common cause of menopause is the natural aging process, typically between the ages of 45 and 55. However, there are several other potential menopause causes, including:
Cancer: One of the most serious potential menopause causes is cancer, specifically ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer can cause the ovaries to stop functioning properly, leading to menopause.
Hormone disorders: Hormonal imbalances can also cause menopause. This typically occurs when the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body are out of balance.
Medications: Certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs, can also cause menopause. These drugs work by attacking the cells in the body, which can lead to the ovaries being damaged and eventually ceasing to function properly.
Oophorectomy: Oophorectomy is a surgical procedure involving removing one or both ovaries. This can lead to menopause, as the ovaries are responsible for producing estrogen.
Symptoms of menopause
Menopause is characterized by hot flashes. Many women describe it as sudden sensations of heat, combined with sweating and rapid heartbeat. Hot flashes can occur at any time, day or night. They may last from a few seconds to several minutes.
Other common symptoms include:Vaginal dryness: As estrogen levels decline, the lining of the vagina becomes thinner and less elastic. This can cause discomfort during intercourse.
Mood changes: A person may experience mild irritability or severe depression during these changes.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor about symptom relief.
How to treat menopause
There are a number of ways to treat symptoms of menopause, and effective treatments differ between patients. Some of them are:
Prescription medication:
Low dose antidepressants
Medicine for hormone therapy
OTC products: Several over-the-counter (OTC) products can help with symptoms. These include:
Antiperspirants and deodorants
Cooling products
Pain relievers
Sleep aids
If you are experiencing menopause symptoms, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of the different treatment option is right for you.
Menopause medications
The most common medications are the hormones estrogen and progesterone used in hormone therapy. Hormone therapy acts as supplements to the low hormone levels. Some medications are described:
Hormonal birth control
This can be used to regulate hormone levels and ease menopausal symptoms. It will help to prevent hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.
Vaginal estrogen
This can be in the form of a cream, tablet, or ring. It helps to improve vaginal dryness and itching. It can also help with hot flashes and night sweats. Vaginal estrogen does not help with mood changes or sleep problems.
Low-dose antidepressants
These can help with hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and sleep problems. Menopausal symptoms are commonly treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of antidepressant.
Menopausal hormone therapy
This is also called hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It replaces the hormones that the body is no longer making. It can be taken as a pill, skin patch, gel, or vaginal cream. It can help with hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.
There are a few things to keep in mind when taking menopause medications. First, be sure to take them as prescribed by your doctor. Second, don't stop taking the medication suddenly, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms. Finally, menopause medications can interact with other medications you're taking, so be sure to talk to your doctor about all the medications you're on. With the right menopause medication, you can enjoy relief from your symptoms and live a healthy life.
How to avoid menopause symptoms
Menopause is a natural time of change for every woman. It can be an exciting time, but it can also be a time when you feel like your body is betraying you. There are a few things that you can do to avoid feeling this way:
Eat a healthy diet
Get enough sleep
Exercise regularly
Menopause is a critical time in a woman's life. Talk to your doctor about any concerns that you have.
When to see a doctor for a menopause
Consider the severity and frequency of your symptoms. If your symptoms are severe and/or happen regularly, visit a doctor rule out other health problems. Also, note that menopause is a process that can last for several years. So keep track of your symptoms, if they see to worsen over time, or at any time you are concerned about any aspect of menopause, don't hesitate to visit your doctor to discuss treatment options.
Menopause treatment FAQs
What are symptoms of menopause?
Symptoms vary in women, due to different levels of estrogen, but the most noticeable and common symptoms are irregular periods, hot flashes and/or night sweats, vaginal dryness, trouble sleeping, mood changes, weight gain, and thinning hair.
Some women also experience hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).When does menopause start?
Menopause usually starts between the ages of 45 and 55. But it can happen earlier or later. The average age in the US for a woman to have menopause is 52 and can be be a journey that lasts years. There are three stages, perimenopause, menopause, and post menopause.
What are some treatments for menopause?
Menopause itself is a natural process and requires no medical attention, but the symptoms from menopause can be controlled in a variety of different ways. Hormone therapy is the most popular and effective treatment for symptoms like hot flashes. There is the option of estrogen only, progesterone only, or a mix of both. Additionally, low-dose antidepressants, such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may be prescribed to decrease menopausal hot flashes and address mood disorders. Some individuals may explore the option of antidepressants online as part of their comprehensive approach to managing menopausal symptoms. Gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, others) is used to treat seizures and has also been shown to reduce hot flashes.
3 simple steps to get treated for menopause today
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/93dxz9nwxioo/2EezYqY0YpIv5UCFP4b6yh/45e46e6194b2be944950e2914d285486/step1__1_.jpeg?fm=avif&q=65&w=750)
Step 1
Book a menopause treatment appointment.
Book a same day appointment from anywhere.
![Step 2: Visit with a doctor on your smartphone](https://images.ctfassets.net/93dxz9nwxioo/2D9XZaum9S4B0CRrr4kIsh/384b9ac6426e5ccad96ae4d99d6025f3/step2.jpg?fm=avif&q=65&w=640)
Step 2
Talk to your medical provider regarding your menopause symptoms.
Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.
![Step 3: pick up at local pharmacy](https://images.ctfassets.net/93dxz9nwxioo/6ooloWzVDmoond6VsrSsX6/0fa0f8fc7c37638745e6fa1ce37bc1d7/step3.jpg?fm=avif&q=65&w=750)
Step 3
Pick up a prescription for menopause.
We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.
Related conditions to menopause
A number of related conditions can occur around the same time as menopause. These include:
Anxiety
Hot flashes
Night sweats
Mood swings
Irritability
Fatigue
In addition, the risks of some other medication conditions increase:
Osteoporosis (bone loss)
Cardiovascular and heart disease (e.g., stroke)
Endometrial cancer
Menopause treatment pricing details
How pricing works
To request menopause treatment online and get a new prescription or refill on your prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits.
Paying with insurance
Membership
$19.99/month
First month free
Visits
Copay
30 days of free membership
Same-day appointments 7 days a week
Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
Exclusive discounts on lab tests
Free memberships for your family
Cancel anytime
Visit price with insurance
Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!
We accept these insurance plans and many more:
Paying without insurance
Membership
$19.99/month
First month free
Visits
$129
30 days of free membership
Same-day appointments 7 days a week
Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
Exclusive discounts on lab tests
Free memberships for your family
Cancel anytime
Visit price without insurance
Initial visits are $129.
If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund.
Menopause treatment resources:
Sources:
PlushCare is dedicated to providing you with accurate and trustworthy health information.
Mayo Clinic. “Menopause - Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Accessed October 10, 2023, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397
National Institute on Aging. “What Is Menopause?” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Accessed October 10, 2023, https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/menopause/what-menopause
Cleveland Clinic. “Postmenopause: What to Expect.” Cleveland Clinic, Accessed October 10, 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21837-postmenopause
North American Menopause Society. “Menopause Guidebook.” NAMS, Accessed October 10, 2023, https://www.menopause.org/
PlushCare content is reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, nutritionists, and other healthcare professionals. Learn more about our editorial standards and meet the medical team. The PlushCare site or any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.