Page 49 - Prevention (February 2020)

hormone therapy,
therapy could prevent heart disease
and prolong life.
But more than 70% of the women in
the WHI study were over 60. Since most
women go through menopause between
the ages of 45 and 55 (rep-
resenting less than 10% of
those in the study popu-
lation), the overall results +
reflected women who were
well past the hot flash years
(in other words, women for
whom any heart damage
had already occurred). An
evaluation of those in the
GETTY IMAGES. 50-to-59 range showed
different and reassuring
results: In women taking
there was actually
a decrease in heart
disease and overall
mortality.
COOL OFF
So if you’re one of the
80% of perimeno-
pausal or postmeno-
pausal women who
are experiencing hot
flashes and you’re
concerned about your
heart: Yes, lose excess
weight, keep exer-
cising, don’t smoke,
and eat healthily. But
you also may want to
rethink the “tough it
out” approach to
hot flashes. Since there are safe, effective
hormonal and nonhormonal options
that can ease them (see below), there’s
no reason to suffer—and there are now
compelling reasons to reduce the heat.
CHILL-DOWN OPTIONS
ESTROGEN THERAPY: Can be oral or transdermal
(patches, gels, creams, sprays).
NONHORMONAL R X OPTIONS: Paroxetine
(Brisdelle) is an oral SSRI that’s been approved by
the FDA for menopause-related symptoms. Other
meds used off-label for hot flashes include Gaba-
pentin (an anti-seizure med), Clonidine (a blood
pressure med), and Oxybutynin (a bladder drug).
NATURAL REMEDIES: There’s some evidence
that isoflavones (phytoestrogens) such as S-equol
supplements can ease hot flashes.
F E B RUARY 2020 • PREVENTION.COM 45