Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Why are some doctors reluctant to recommend nonprescription therapies for menopause symptoms?
Nonprescription products such as herbal supplements are not controlled by the FDA
because they are
considered food supplements by law. Because they are not regulated like
prescription medications, their ingredients and potency vary from manufacturer
to manufacturer, and even from bottle to bottle from the same manufacturer. Also,
careful testing and proof of safety is not required as it is with prescription
medications. (The only way the FDA can recall a nonprescription product is by
proving that it is dangerous.) Furthermore, there are so many nonprescription
products available that a doctor cannot possibly know exactly what is in each
preparation. Moreover, not one of these products has been scientifically proven
to be safe.
So, how well have the nonprescription alternatives to hormone therapy been
tested? Not one study has adhered to all of the stringent requirements that are
necessary for approval of prescription medicines.
Specifically, sugar pills (placebos) have not been included in many
studies of nonprescription alternative medications. Therefore, it is not
possible to know if the product worked at all, since any effects seen with the
product might have been seen with a
placebo.
Many studies evaluated women who were taking products without supervision.
Obviously, these women were aware that they were taking something to improve
their symptoms. Thus, the element of objectivity was eliminated, and bias was
introduced.
Most available studies have been carried out for only a few months.
Physicians do not want to recommend a product that hasn't been proven safe over
the long-term.
Lastly, each study seems to have a different way of judging whether the
medication helps. Some analyze hot flashes alone, while others evaluate a group
of symptoms without specifically segregating out hot flashes. Other studies
examine multiple but individual symptoms. Even the studies that evaluate hot
flashes may record different factors; the number of hot flashes per day, the
severity of the hot flashes, or the duration of the hot flashes, etc.
Alternative Treatments For Hot Flashes Of Menopause - Describe Your ExperienceQuestion: Please describe your experience with alternative treatments for hot flashes of menopause.
Night sweats are severe hot flashes that occur at night and result in a drenching sweat. In order to distinguish night sweats that arise from medical causes from those that occur because one's surroundings are too warm, doctors generally refer to true night sweats as severe hot flashes occurring at night that can drench sleepwear and sheets, which are not related to an overheated environment.
Menopause is the time in a woman's life when menstrual periods permanently stop, also called the “change of life." Menopause symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, irregular vaginal bleeding, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, urinary incontinence, weight gain, and emotional symptoms such as mood swings. Treatment of menopausal symptoms varies, and should be discussed with your physician.
Normal vaginal bleeding (menorrhea) occurs through the process of menstruation. Abnormal vaginal bleeding in women who are ovulating regularly most commonly involves excessive, frequent, irregular, or decreased bleeding. Causes of abnormal may arise from a variety of conditions.
Hot flashes (or flushing) is the most common symptom experienced by a woman prior to and during the early stages of menopause. Hot flashes can be caused by other conditions. Diagnosis is made by taking a patient history and at times, blood tests. Treatment options include hormone therapy, bioidentical hormone therapy, and medications. There are non-FDA approved natural remedies.
Menstruation (menstrual cycle) is also referred to as a "period." When a woman menstruates, the lining of the uterus is shed. This shedding of the uterine linking is the menstrual blood flow. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days. There can be problems with a woman's period, including heavy bleeding, pain, or skipped periods. Causes of these problems may be amenorrhea (lack fo a period), menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea), or abnormal vaginal or uterine bleeding. There are a variety of situations in which a girl or woman should see a doctor about her menstrual cycle.
Sexual health information including birth control, impotence, herpes, sexually transmitted diseases, staying healthy, women's sexual health concerns, and men's sexual health concerns. Learn about the most common sexual conditions affecting men and women.
Women's health is an important topic area to guide a woman through the stages of her life, as well as knowing the conditions and diseases that may occur. Educating yourself so that the transitions into different phases of life is key to a healthy, happy, and productive life.
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