Hot flashes, weight gain, insomnia, nervousness, unexplained mood swings, sexual problems, urinary incontinence, absence of menstruation – menopause is a turning point in every woman’s life.
It is an inevitable natural phenomenon followed by physical and psychological changes that vary from woman to woman. Until now, women had to go through risky hormone therapy to ease uncomfortable symptoms. However, studies show that a placebo treatment promotes a high-effectively and risk-free symptom relief.
Many women suffer from recurrent hot flashes during the menopause. A rising heat usually spreads suddenly over the face, neck, and finally over the entire body. The subsequent sweating may last for a few minutes, after which often comes a cold episode of chills. Some women sweat more at night, which in turn disturbs their night sleep and can lead to daytime tiredness, fatigue, and trouble with their work productivity.
The mucous membranes in the genital area can become drier, thinner, and less flexible due to the hormonal change, which makes it more exposed to injuries and infections. This can also affect the urethra, which is also more susceptible to estrogen deficiency during menopause.
In addition, hormonal fluctuations are considered to be possible causes of depressive moods, anxiety, and inner restlessness, especially in women who have previously suffered from depressive phases.
How can menopause symptoms be treated?
Menopause is not a disease, so the side effects do not necessarily have to be treated with medication. However, up to 80% of all women suffer from very hot flushes and sweating. That is the reason why most of the women suffering from these unpleasant symptoms usually decide to go through hormone therapy, where some of the hormones that the body lacks are replaced with the dose they need.
Although many doctors prescribe hormone therapy as a proven and effective way to control symptoms, many studies recommend avoiding this approach as primary.
Mitigation of menopausal symptoms such as heat waves is possible without hormone replacement therapy. Placebo treatment during menopause can support the body’s self-healing powers and thus reduce hot flashes.
Hormone vs. Placebo Treatment
Heat waves, redness of the skin, and night sweats are the most common symptoms during menopause. Hormone replacement therapy involves a combination of estrogen and progesterone and has been shown to relieve heat waves. Doctors used to regularly prescribe hormone replacement therapy to menopausal women to alleviate symptoms and reduce the risk of heart disease, until a decade ago.
A large American study, made by the Women’s Health Initiative Study (WHI) published shocking results. In the study, a group of women received either oestrogen alone or an oestrogen – progestogen combination. The other group received a placebo treatment.
The study showed that hormone therapy increased the risk of breast cancer, heart attacks, and blood clots, unlike placebo treatment where there can be no side effects. Although hormone therapy is still the most effective in relieving menopausal symptoms, many women have stopped using it since then.
Placebo helps to alleviate common vaginal dryness
Researchers have now tested whether low-dose hormone preparations help better than placebo. The study director was Dr. Caroline M. Mitchell of the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The 12-week study included approximately 300 postmenopausal women who had moderate to severe symptoms such as dryness, burning, itching or irritation, and pain during sexual intercourse.
The women were divided into three groups. The first group received a 10-microgram estradiol vaginal tablet plus placebo gel (3 times a week) daily and then twice a week. The second group received vaginal placebo tablets plus vaginal moisturizer, the third group received placebo tablets and placebo gel.
The result: In all treatment groups, the symptoms decreased to a similar extent over the period of 12 weeks. In addition, there were no significant differences between estradiol or moisturiser compared to placebo. The hormone preparation for vaginal dryness did not do better than the placebo.
Get through menopause safely
Hormone treatment is not always necessary or useful to relieve menopausal symptoms. Menopause is not a disease. Even without treatment, hot flashes and sweating eventually do go away on their own for most women. Some women just wait until menopause is over.
However, not all women have the same intensity of symptoms. Many women have normal daily activities interrupted by hot flashes, fatigue, and mood changes. Placebo treatment offers an easier, safer, and effective way to restore the normal functioning in the menopause.
At the same time, placebo makes patients less dependable on drugs and helps them avoid all risks and side effects. It helps women to get through this tough period more comfortably and be healthier and happier.
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