Can escitalopram help women with menopause reduce hot flashes frequency?
Menopause naturally occurs in women at a median age of 51 years old due to deficiencies in hormones from ovarian loss of function.1 Some of the most common symptoms of menopause are vasomotor hot flashes and night sweats. The goal of therapy is symptom and quality of life improvement while minimizing side effects. As long as no contraindications are present, the recommended treatment for menopausal vasomotor hot flashes is hormone replacement therapy (HRT).1,2,3 Customized to patient’s symptoms, history of risk factors, and preferences, HRT may increase quality of life.2 However, there are some serious contraindications, possible increased risk for venous thromboembolism and breast cancer, and unclear risk areas concerning HRT along with public skepticism.1,3 Escitalopram(Lexapro ®) is another option studied for
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A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), escitalopram is indicated for use in major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.4 Currently, escitalopram is only used in menopause treatment when HRT is contraindicated.1
A randomized, multi-site, double blind study by Freeman, et al, investigated whether escitalopram alleviated menopause hot flashes. 5 For 8 weeks, 205 patients experiencing ≥4 hot flashes per day or ≥28 per week for 3 weeks received either a placebo (n=101) or escitalopram 10 mg (n=104), which could be increased to 20 mg at week 4 if severity did not change or did not have a reduction by ≥50% in frequency of hot flashes. The primary outcome was the number and severity of hot flashes and night sweats over 24 hours with severity ratings between 1-3 which was record in a twice daily diary. Women included in the study were between 40-62 years-old
As previously stated, Lexapro is a Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are by far, the most frequently prescribed antidepressants ("Selective serotonin reuptake," 2013). SSRI’s work by increasing the levels of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter in the brain (Mandal, n.d.). Serotonin regulates some aspects of the brain including mood, sleep and emotion (Mandal, n.d.). People with depression have low levels of serotonin so the SSRIs block the reuptake of serotonin, which means a greater amount of serotonin than usual remains available in the synaptic space between the two nerves (Mandal, n.d.). SSRIs relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety, are rather safe and generally cause less side effects than other types of antidepressants ("Selective serotonin reuptake," 2013). Lexapro tablets are film coated, round tablets containing esxitalopram oxalate in strengths equal to 5mg, 10mg, and 20 mg ("Lexapro," 2004).
11. Following her recovery, Margaret was placed on three medications: (A) oral calcium supplementation, (B) oral estrogen, and (C) oral alendronate sodium (Fosamax). Specifically describe how each of these medications works to treat Margaret’s condition. Oral calcium is given to Margaret to help with the loss of bone tissue and to help with the aid of forming stronger bone tissue. Oral estrogen is for to help make up for the loss of estrogen deficiency in her body due to menopause and this drug also helps to prevent weakened bones and due to the lack of activity Margert is accustomed to this will be beneficial for her. Oral alendronate sodium is for an inhibitor to help with bone reabsorption of
Efficacy of continuation ECT and antidepressant drugs compared to long-term antidepressants alone in depressed patients. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 157, 1960-1965. Guttmacher, L. B. (1994). Concise Guide to Psychopharmacology and Electroconvulsive Therapy.
In clinical practice today the population is increasing in the number of elderly patients, as is the occurrence of breast cancer in women 60 years of age and older. According to Tang et al. (2011) the occurrence of breast cancer in women 65 years old and older is greater than “400 cases per 100, 000 women” (p. 3). The appropriate treatment options for the elderly are not as standard as those for a younger generation related to the effects the aging process has on the body. Secondary conditions such as congestive heart failure (CHF), diabetes mellitus (DM), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and the effects of treatment on functionality are also considered when deciding treatment as well as polypharmacy with the elderly patients. According to Jones, Leak, Muss (2012) treatment options of elderly breast cancer patients requires determine if cancer is the primary illness related to the existing co-illnesses impact on breast cancer and survival rate.
14- Dutt. P, Chaudhary SR, et al. Oral health and menopause: a comprehensive review on current knowledge and associated dental management. Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research (2013); 3(3): 320-323.
Women who have taken estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after menopause have a higher risk of ovarian cancer.
Menopause is a course that every woman's body must experience. Majority of women already know the symptoms, side effects, and all-around unpleasantness that comes with menopause and this can, cause them to be concerned that it may have an affect on their social, personal, and professional lives. However, if there was an answer that could help facilitate the torment of menopause would most ladies take it? Likely, yet what numerous ladies don't know is that there can be serious symptoms while experiencing Hormonal Replacement Therapy. Before one can understand Hormonal Replacement Therapy, they should first know what menopause is. Menopause is a characteristic piece of maturing and it happens when a woman’s ovaries quit creating a substance called
Most people can live their near-normal life span or die. Women tend to have a better outlook than men, but 20% undergoes rapid progression and another 20% still experience symptoms. There are different treatment options available, which include 10 FDA-approved disease-modifying drugs that slow the progression of the disease by reducing the number of ne...
As many as 19 million Americans million are affected by mood disorders ( The two main types of mood disorders are bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder which are described as disturbances in mood, behavior and emotion.“ Bipolar disorder is a complex disorder in which the core feature is pathological disturbance in mood ranging from extreme elation, or mania, to severe depression usually accompanied by disturbances in thinking and behavior, which may include psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations” (Craddock, Jones 1999). Major depressive disorder or unipolar depression is characterized by a consistent low mood and lack of interest in things typically enjoyed .A second classification of major depressive disorder, is dysthymic disorder which is a chronic but less severe form of major depression (John W. Santrock 2007). Also major depression has many subgroups including seasonal affect disorder and postpartum depression. While there are many treatment options for the symptoms of mood disorders and promising scientific research, much is still unknown about a disorder that affects so many lives.
Peadon, E., Payne, J., Henley, Nadine, D'Antoine, H., & Bartu, A., et al. (2010). Women. BMC Puplic Health, 10(510), Retrieved from http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/10/510 doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-10-510
There are some things that can be done. Since menopause causes many changes in a woman's body, one of the key's is to try to reverse these changes.
A programme of 6 ECT treatments was prescribed for an 82 year old client presenting with severe clinical depression. Depression refers to a wide range of mental health problems characterised by the absence of a positive affect, low mood and a range of associated emotional, cognitive, physical and behavioural symptoms (NICE 2009). Previously this lady had tried pharmacological inter...
Menopause can be associated with an emotional impact even when the woman looks forward to not having periods anymore or being fertile. This is because the fluctuations in hormones directly affect the neurotransmitters in the brain. Low levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, for example, can be found in menopausal women. These low levels contribute to feelings of depression and irritability. Women are more likely to suffer from an episode of major depression during these years and often need selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are medications that have been found to biochemically lift depressive
Almost every woman will go through menopause at one stage in her life. Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 to 55, but can occur as early as the 30s and as late as the 60s. This stage comes with many signs and symptoms like hot flashes, irregular menstrual cycles, and mood swings. This article will go over what menopause is, the symptoms, and what essential oils can bring you some relief during this phase.
Long-acting injectables such as the medroxyprogesterone acetate and norethisterone enantate are injections given every three months . They are highly recommended contraceptives because of its high effectivity and reversibility. Its failure rate is 1-2% and do not increase the risk of cancer for female genital tracts such as cervical cancer. It has a lot of benefits for the user such as increasing levels of blood iron and to some extent serves as a protection against inflammatory diseases and ovarian & endometrial carcinoma. On the other hand, monthly injectable consists of both estrogen and progestogen though it has shorter effectivity and results to higher costs because injection should be done more frequently. The only known side effects is changing the menstrual bleeding patterns of a woman. Norplant implants are flexible non-biodegradable tubes filled with a hormone called levornorgestrel, a ovulation preventing hormone, which is implanted under a woman’s skin. The implant relases the hormone slowly and at a constant rate for several years (“Ethics and Human Values Family Planning”). Generally the only disadvantage of Long-acting Steroid Contraception is changing the menstrual bleeding patterns and is costs much higher than any other forms of contraception. The good thing about it is that is ensure low failure rate for preventing ovulation and it does not cause serious medical