United States: In the latest finding, it is revealed that an experimental once-a-day pill, which usually works without hormones, could majorly lower the number of hot flashes experienced by women dealing with menopause.
The drug also reportedly improved their sleep as compared to a placebo, as showed by two novel trials conducted by drugmaker Bayer.
More about the finding
The drug is called elinzanetant, which works efficiently by blocking the brain chemicals that are responsible for hot flashes and night sweats.
In doctor’s vocabulary, these symptoms are termed vasomotor symptoms, wherein women’s ovaries have slowed production of the estrogen and progesterone hormones.
This phase, when these symptoms occur in a woman’s life, is called menopause, usually taking place in her 40s or 50s, as CNN Health reported.
More about the drug
The US FDA approved a similar drug, called fezolinetant, but it was sold under the name Veozah last year.
Such kinds of drugs provide a novel option for women during a phase in their lives when their bodies are trying to adjust to a new hormonal balance.
This transitory phase could bring a range of symptoms such as mood swings, brain fogging, libido changes, as well as sleeplessness.
Bothersome symptoms
In some women, symptoms occur at a bothersome level, which becomes a cause of worry for women. However, these do not amount to interfere with their daily functioning.
However, in others, these could be so debilitating, requiring medical help, whereas many doctors seem reluctant to offer the traditional treatment, hormone replacement therapy, because of fear that it could increase the risk of stroke, cancer, and heart disease.
Dr. Stephanie Faubion, who is director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Women’s Health, said, “Very few women get any sort of help,” as CNN Health reported.
Fabian added that at the peak of its use in the 1990s, almost 40 percent of postmenopausal women were seeking hormone replacement therapy or HRT.
However, a large government study showed that a rising risk of heart disease and cancer is linked with the use of HRT for women, and the use of hormones for menopausal symptoms fell to around 4 percent.
As per the latest studies, many analyses conducted of the data from the government trial have revealed that HRT is not linked to risen risk to a woman’s health when one is close to the time of menopause and limited in duration, but many doctors remain skeptical.
Moreover, those who survived hormone-sensitive cancers, like breast cancer, couldn’t have hormones for menopausal relief.