7 best over-the-counter drugs for menopause

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

The female body, in contrast to the male, lives more intensely, and experiences fluctuations in hormonal levels. It is easy to understand that this is due to the need to be ready for conception, pregnancy and childbirth. But the female body has a certain time limit for the normal functioning of the genitals. Gradually, the fertile period, or the time when a woman can freely become pregnant, carry and give birth, ends. And then the period of menopause, or menopause, begins. This is the period during which the body tries to smoothly reconstruct and complete hormonal fluctuations associated with reproductive function.

Typically, modern women are 45-50 years old. At the beginning of this period, the ovarian-menstrual cycle still retains some regularity, and at the end, a stable menopause develops. This is the name of a condition in which the hormonal background stops changing, the ovarian-menstrual cycle ends, and menstruation along with it.

Like any hormonal change, the climacteric period makes adjustments in the life of a modern woman, as new, often varied symptoms appear. There are several types of menopause, but all of them are united by a decrease in the quality of life associated with a decrease in the level of estrogen in blood plasma.

Most often, the symptoms of menopause include a decrease in sex drive, the appearance of irritability, anxiety. Functional disorders of the cardiovascular system are manifested 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 'gets hot', and it is felt mainly on the skin of the face, chest and neck. Quite often, hot flashes occur in the evening, and last a few minutes. In the climacteric period, women are often worried about night sweats, shortness of breath, weakness. Daytime drowsiness is common. In connection with a decrease in the level of estrogen, there is a decrease in the elasticity and turgor of the skin, wrinkles appear, and the trophism of subcutaneous tissue decreases. Menopause occurs after menopause. A drop in hormone levels ultimately causes a disorder such as osteoporosis, or a loss of bone structure with a fall and mechanical strength.

Menopause can proceed as usual as a functional disorder, and in this case, to improve the quality of life and eliminate its unpleasant symptoms, you can use the funds that are listed in the following rating of drugs. But it also happens that the severity of symptoms in menopause is so significant that treatment is required from a gynecologist, or a gynecologist-endocrinologist. In some cases, women even experience pain in the lower back and lower abdomen, dryness of the mucous membrane of the genitals. Such signs require regular medical supervision and treatment.

This ranking will list the groups of drugs that are used for anxiety and anxiety, as well as mildly acting herbal preparations containing phytoestrogens, as an analogue of hormone replacement therapy. There is no mention of hormonal drugs here, before using which a doctor's consultation is required.

All prices mentioned in the rating are taken from open sources, are average, and are valid at the end of 2018, for pharmacies of all types of ownership.

It is assumed that the presented material is intended for a focus group of women in the climacteric period. Some of the drugs listed below have contraindications such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and childhood. But since the rating is devoted to the climacteric period in which there is no pregnancy and lactation, and which, moreover, does not occur in childhood, we will not mention these contraindications in the review. Those wishing to receive complete information should refer to the official instructions.

Rating of the best drugs for menopause

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best sedatives in the climacteric period	1	Persen	227 r
	2	Phytosedan No. 2	135 RUB
	3	Deprim – St. John's wort extract (Gelarium, Negrustin, Neuroplant)	396 r
	4	Afobazol	393 r
The best herbal preparations and phytoestrogens for menopause	1	Klimadinon	431 r
	2	Estrovel	469 r
	3	Taxifolin Baikal	RUB 1,300

The best sedatives in the climacteric period

This section could be called differently – 'tranquilizers'. But it is no coincidence that the word 'sedatives' is used here. Although they are one and the same, it is generally accepted that tranquilizers are drugs that are prescribed by a doctor for certain indications and sold by prescription. These include benzodiazepines such as Diazepam, Grandaxin, Elenium or Relanium, and others. But in our case, we will consider sedatives that do not require a prescription and do not even need to visit a doctor. These are over-the-counter medications and their role is to reduce the secondary link between menopause symptoms and their subsequent anxiety.

Their reception leads to an improvement in general well-being, a change in a woman's attitude to the same hot flashes and sweating, to a decrease in the excitation of the central and peripheral nervous system. As a result of the regular use of such mild remedies, the expectation of unpleasant symptoms is reduced, they occur less frequently, and their tolerance improves. Thus, without directly affecting hormonal changes or symptoms, these agents improve the quality of life. They are inexpensive, have few or no contraindications, and are recommended by specialists as non-specific (non-hormonal) first-line agents for relieving the unpleasant symptoms of menopause.

Persen

Rating: 4.9

This is a combined herbal remedy that contains valerian, lemon balm and mint. Of course, you can just use the extract of valerian in tablets or in drops, but the presence of lemon balm and mint enhances the calming effect and adds an antispasmodic effect on the smooth muscles of the internal organs. It is known that hot flashes and functional disorders such as shortness of breath, heart rhythm disturbances (tachycardia) often lead to unpleasant and painful sensations in the chest, abdomen, discomfort in the intestines, which worsens the state of health. Persen allows you to reduce the severity of this symptomatology, and the woman treats her more calmly.

It is shown in the climacteric period with increased nervous excitability, irritability and symptoms such as insomnia. Persen is produced in tablets, the average dosage is 2 or 3 tablets at a time, for 2-3 times a day. Official instructions limit the maximum dosage to twelve tablets per day, and the maximum course of administration is no more than 2 months. The drug Persen is produced by the pharmaceutical company Lek from Slovenia, and the average cost of one package, in the amount of 40 tablets, is 420 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Many people like Persen, and not only during menopause. It is able to soothe even with serious mental and physical exertion, but at the same time its inconvenience comes down to the need to take several pills at once, which is not very convenient. In addition, Persen is contraindicated for business women, since it can cause a deterioration in concentration and slow down the speed of reaction. 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, in the event that a woman during menopause also takes medications to lower blood pressure, then their actions may be stronger against the background of Persen, and in this case, a doctor's consultation is required before his first use. Therefore, Persen is contraindicated in case of low blood pressure.

Phytosedan No. 2

Rating: 4.8

Phytosedan refers to a complex herbal collection, and relaxes well with a mild to moderate climax. Its composition (collection number 2) includes motherwort herb, peppermint hops, valerian and licorice. It is sold in filter bags for brewing. Such a well-chosen mixture has a sedative effect and a slight antispasmodic effect. We can assume that Fitosedan and Persen are very similar, while Persen is more concentrated and is sold in tablets, while Fitosedan needs to be brewed, which in itself is already a sedative procedure.

It is also shown with increased nervous excitability and sleep disorders, which often occur during menopause. It is shown in women who, during the period of hormonal changes, quite often have drops in blood pressure with a tendency to increase it.

It is necessary to brew two filters of a package of 2 g at once, the total volume of boiling water is 100 ml. After insisting for 20 minutes, the sachets are squeezed out, then brought to the volume of a glass (200 ml) and drunk. Usually during menopause it is enough 2 times a day, half an hour before meals. The soothing collection Fitosedan No. 2 is produced by the domestic pharmaceutical company Krasnogorskleksredstva, which specializes in the production of herbal preparations. One package of 50 filter bags, designed for 25 doses, costs an average of 90 rubles, which is quite inexpensive.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of Fitosedan is a kind of preparation procedure, which, under proper conditions, can cause a relaxing effect, like a 'tea ceremony'. Phytosedan practically has no contraindications, except for individual intolerance, many people like it, due to the sweetish taste of licorice. Some women prefer to use it just once a day, half an hour before bedtime, as a mild herbal sleeping pill. Phytosedan's price is very attractive. On the other hand, disadvantages are an extension of advantages. Phytosedan is difficult to use while at work, since it is not always possible to brew sachets even during a regulated break, in this sense the tablets have a certain advantage. Finally, if you break the bag by accident, then the finished infusion will not be spoiled, but its taste will be reduced.

Deprim – St. John's wort extract (Gelarium, Negrustin, Neuroplant)

Rating: 4.8

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

It is necessary to use Deprim and its analogs containing St. John's wort not so much with hot flashes, tachycardia, periodic rises in blood pressure, but only when these symptoms are intensely emotionally colored. A woman may experience different severity of these signs, from vague anxiety to an intense feeling of fear and hopelessness. It is in such cases that the appointment of St. John's wort preparations is indicated. It is important to remember that the effect develops gradually, and you should not wait for an improvement in the condition earlier than 10 days. The average duration of the course of use is about one and a half months.

You need to use Deprim one tablet three times a day. It is advisable to apply it without gaps, and if, nevertheless, the pass took place, then it is necessary to make up for the missed reception as soon as possible. Deprim is produced by the Lek company from Slovenia, and the cost of one package, designed for 10 days of reception, is, on average, about 250 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Perhaps Deprim and its analogues are suitable for those women who, in principle, do not want to 'get addicted to pills', but try to use herbal preparations. Indeed, if a woman comes to a doctor who prescribes a mild tranquilizer for her (for example, Grandaxin), then she will receive about the same effect, but within 10 days, but much earlier. And here Deprim's advantage will be naturalness. In addition, all preparations of St. John's wort have one feature: they can cause sunburn during prolonged exposure to the sun – they cause photosensitivity to ultraviolet rays. While taking Deprim, the safest period is winter time, and in summer it is necessary to hide from the rays of the direct sun. Otherwise, this remedy is very popular and effective, and can be used for various types of climacteric disorders associated with anxiety-depressive symptoms. Of the minuses – it is not very convenient to take the drug 3 times a day, as well as the need to monitor the replenishment of the missed dose.

Afobazol

Rating: 4.7

Afobazole is quite actively used in our country as a tranquilizer, and not only in the climacteric period with severe symptoms, but also in anxiety disorders, with neurasthenia, with insomnia disorders, with premenstrual syndrome, vegetative vascular dystonia, and even with the development of abstinence in patients with alcoholism and drug addiction . The preparation contains a special active ingredient – fabomotizol in a dose of 5 mg in each tablet. It belongs to the group of non-benzodiazepine anxiolytics. The manufacturer claims that it acts on the receptors of neurons in the brain, which causes them to stabilize and increases sensitivity to inhibitory influences.

Afobazole reduces anxiety and slightly stimulates or activates. As a result, Afobazol can help women in menopause who are constantly afraid of something, scared, who have tearfulness or constant lethargy, there are symptoms of anxiety disorder equivalents, ranging from cardiovascular to gastrointestinal. The drug begins to act actively on the 5-7th day of administration, and the greatest effect develops by the end of the month.

Afobazol is prescribed one tablet three times a day, and the duration of the course is on average about 1 month, but according to indications it can be increased to three. Afobazol is produced by the domestic company Pharmstandard, and the cost of one package in the amount of 60 tablets, designed for 3 weeks of treatment, averages 460 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

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

The best herbal preparations and phytoestrogens for menopause

Phytoestrogens have a long history. At the end of the 20th century, it was discovered that women in Japan and China suffer less heart attacks and strokes, they have less frequent malignant diseases of the genital organs, and at the same time, their menopause is much easier. According to the results of the study, it turned out that the food of the inhabitants of Asia contains a large amount of soy and soy products. It was possible to find out that the composition of soybeans and some other plants contains special estrogen-like substances. These are equol, genistein, and other compounds. Unlike real estrogen, which fits the receptor 100% like a key to a lock, phytoestrogens only resemble hormonal structures, and therefore their connection with receptors is much weaker.

But still, they resemble real estradiol, and are able to provide a therapeutic effect in menopausal disorders. Compared with a placebo, that is, a dummy, a decrease in the frequency of hot flashes, tachycardia, and other unpleasant symptoms of menopause decreased by 12%, which suggests that they can be used in the complex therapy of menopausal disorders. Currently, there are quite a few drugs of this line. The main active ingredient is plant extracts from red clover, flax seeds, licorice, red grapes, soybeans, hops and cimicifuga.

In addition, there is evidence of drugs that do not have estrogenic activity, but, nevertheless, improve the quality of life in the climacteric period. We are talking about blockers of lipid peroxidation processes. These processes accelerate the onset of menopause and intensify the signs of skin aging. The most effective blockers of free radical processes include dihydroquercetin, available on the market by Taxifolin Baikal.

Klimadinon

Rating: 4.9

Popular and effective is Klimadinon, or cimicifuga extract. It is positioned by the manufacturer as a herbal anti-climacteric agent, and one tablet contains 20 mg of an extract of this plant containing active phytoestrogens. In addition, Klimadinon is also available in drops.It mainly affects the autonomic nervous system, and with a mild to moderate course of menopause, it can significantly weaken or even completely reduce the unpleasant symptoms associated with autonomic disorders. These include well-known hot flashes, hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, nervousness, sleep disturbances, and mood changes.

It is necessary to use Klimadinon one tablet twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, at about the same time, in order to simulate the release of natural hormones of the female body. It should be remembered that Klimadinon does not act immediately, and the effect develops on average 10-14 days after the start of treatment. Determines the duration of the course by the attending physician, but, on average, it is about 1 – 2 months. Klimadinon is produced by the German company Bionorica, and the cost of one package of 60 tablets, just calculated for a monthly course, will average 485 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of Klimadinon is its physiological mild action, and it does not have those contraindications that must be taken into account when prescribing potent hormonal drugs. In the event that the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, sweating and tachycardia, are not very pronounced, then only with its help can you cope with these signs without resorting to other drugs. This can significantly improve the quality of life 'with little money'. However, it should be borne in mind that the effect develops only 2 weeks after using this remedy. Although its cost is low, in some cases a course of treatment is required for 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 diseases, and if a woman has an alcoholic dependence, then Klimadinon drops are contraindicated for her, since it contains ethyl alcohol.

Estrovel

Rating: 4.8

The next product containing phytoestrogens is Estrovel, a complete complex preparation. Unlike Klimadinon, it contains not only cimicifuga, but also soy extract, wild yam, which contains progesterone precursors, indole-3-arbinol, which prevents the harmful effects of hormones in premenstrual syndrome and climacteric disorders. Also, this compound reduces the risk of developing malignant neoplasms.

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

Estrovel is produced in the form of capsules and tablets: 520 mg capsules, and 500 mg tablets. It is necessary to use Estrovel during menopause, one tablet from one to 2 times a day, the course of administration is not shorter than 2 months. The maximum dosage is 4 tablets per day. As for the drug in capsules, it must be used according to a certain scheme, which is associated with the days of the menstrual cycle, and therefore the capsule drug must be used as directed by the doctor. Estrovel is produced by the pharmaceutical company VneshtorgFarma (Russia), and the cost of one package of 30 capsules, designed for two weeks of administration, in an average dose, is about 460 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

A unique combination of natural compounds, vitamins and microelements, which is not found anywhere else, can be considered a great advantage of Estrovel. Therefore, it can replace several types of drugs at once. However, as in the previous case, one should not hope that taking only one Estravel 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 monthly course will cost significantly more than a thousand rubles, especially if you use the maximum dosages.

Taxifolin

Rating: 4.8

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

Deficiency of hormones leads to stress at the cellular level, which is manifested by unpleasant symptoms of menopause. Such temporary functional disorders, however, contribute to an increase in free radical oxidation in many organs and tissues, there is, albeit not a chronic, but very noticeable deficit of energy and oxygen, lipid peroxidation is activated.

And dihydroquercetin, or Taxifolin of Baikal, actively fights this tissue stress. As a result, metabolism is normalized, harmful radicals are utilized and bound. Dihydroquercetin, or Taxifolin Baikal, is such an active compound due to 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 purest form of this natural bioflavonoid, isolated from Siberian larch, which, in terms of antioxidant activity, leaves all analogues far behind.

The woman develops vigor, good mood, symptoms of climacteric disorders decrease, and the physiological norm of blood pressure is restored. It is necessary to take Taxifolin Baikal 1 capsule with meals, the course of administration is 1.5 months. A pronounced effect associated with a decrease in menopause symptoms and general vigor develops on the 5-7 day of admission. Taxifolin is produced by the Baikal company Siberian Cedar, and the cost of one package, calculated for a monthly intake, ranges from 950 to 1300 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

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

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.