Viral Drug Cocktail for Menopause?

Have you heard of the hot new trend of combining over-the-counter antihistamine and antacids for managing perimenopause symptoms?

To be clear, these medications are not be prescribed for perimenopause. Rather, women are turning to social media to share the surprising side effects of these widely available medications. Influencers point especially to how these drugs help reduce hot flashes, improve energy, and clear brain fog.

If you're looking for relief, this new drug cocktail can sound very promising and tempting. But, before heading to the drug store, keep a couple of things in mind:

1) These drugs have not been approved to treat perimenopause symptoms, which means we don't have clinical tests to prove these work and are safe in the long run

2) Speaking of the long run....we DO KNOW that long term use of an antacid (like Pepcid) can interfere vitamin absorption, including vitamin B, calcium, magnesium, and iron. Long term use of antihistamines also come with side-effects. Point is...even though these are over-the-counter medications, they are still drugs and they come with side-effects, potential drug interactions, and long term risks.

3) Your body composition is changing in perimenopause so be very mindful with supplementation and medicines....what used to work may no longer be good for you. For example, some women on social media have also advocated adding an iron supplement to this little cocktail. However, our needs for iron go down some in menopause and an excess of iron can lead to heart damage.

4) They may work, but mask underlying conditions such as thyroid issues that need addressed.

If you are having symptoms that seem related to perimenopause---hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog, fatigue, etc.---there are evidence based treatments out there! I know it is super tempting to skip the doctor.....a recent study found that 87% of us don't go get help for perimenopause symptoms!! But, before trying out this new cocktail, talk to you healthcare providers. You don't have to suffer, you don't deserve to suffer, and there is help. Your doctor may even support adding an antacid or antihistamine, but they can help you monitor side effects, calculate proper use, and watch for drug interactions.

One sure-fire way to ease perimenopause symptoms is EXERCISE! And, you don't need a prescription for it! To be fair, exercise takes more time than popping a Pepcid. But it also doesn't take as long as folx often assume it does to start feeling the benefits of exercise. When I started working out more consistently, I noticed some relief within 2 weeks. I had fewer hot flashes and less brain fog. While exercise made me sore sometimes, it also made my general joint pain and stiffness better. Did exercise make everything bad about perimenopause go away? No, certainly not. But, it did make them better, and it made me feel like I still had a modicum of control over what was happening to my body. Now, I'm post-menopausal and in a strong, confident body.

Perimenopause is a rough because it is hard to predict. On average it lasts 2 years, but can go up to 10 years, and your symptoms can fluctuate throughout. Your whole body composition is changing! But there is also help.....and the 2nd puberty is worth it! We get emerge like a badass.

Wanna read more? Check out: https://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/viral-menopause-cocktail-risks/