Friday October 18 marks World Menopause Day, an opportunity to highlight a promising advance for millions of women: the possibility of treating the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats, without resorting to to hormonal treatments.
Hot flashes, which affect around 80% of postmenopausal women, can last between 6 and 7 years, sometimes even up to 10 years; at the risk of causing sleep disorders, cognitive difficulties, or even depressive states, making this period particularly trying.
Until now, the standard treatment was mainly based on hormonal therapy. However, more and more women are turning away from it. In France, for example, 60% of women took hormonal treatments 25 years ago compared to 8% today. The reason? Risks associated with hormone therapy, including breast cancer and cardiovascular disease.
>> Read also: Breaking the taboo of menopause at work
Effectively relieve symptoms
Many women therefore turn to non-hormonal alternatives such as antidepressants, antiepileptics, antihypertensives or even hypnosis and relaxation. These new treatments promise to effectively relieve menopausal symptoms without the risks associated with hormones. The first of these treatments, Fezolinetant, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2023. A second drug, Elinzanetant, recently completed phase 3 clinical trials, with very encouraging results.
Of the 796 women participating in the study, 80% saw a reduction in the frequency of their hot flashes by at least half. Additionally, side effects were minimal, with only a few cases of headache reported.
How does it work?
These new drugs work by targeting neuronal receptors located in the hypothalamus, the region of the brain that regulates body temperature. During menopause, the drop in estrogen causes hyperactivity of these neurons, leading to the famous hot flashes. By blocking this hyperactivity, medications help reduce their frequency and intensity.
While these new treatments represent an ideal option for women who cannot or do not wish to take hormones, they are not without limitations. Unlike hormonal therapies, they do not act on other symptoms of menopause such as vaginal dryness or osteoporosis.
Despite this, many specialists believe that they open an interesting therapeutic avenue to relieve millions of women.
Didier Pradervand/hkr
Health
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