World Menopause Day: A Comedic Perspective on New Treatments
Ah, Friday, October 18th—the day when women everywhere simultaneously sigh in relief, and perhaps frustration, because it marks World Menopause Day! You know, it’s like International Women’s Day, but with fewer flowers and more fans. And let’s not forget the hot flashes! Yes, ladies, your body is basically staging a rave, and the dance floor is your living room. Who knew your hormone party could get *this* wild?
Now, speaking of hot flashes, it turns out that around 80% of postmenopausal women are sweating it out for an average of 6 to 7 years—basically the length of time it takes to get a PhD in astrophysics! But instead of studying black holes, they’re just asking why their own bodies have turned into one.
From Hormones to Hope
Traditionally, the go-to answer for these menopausal disturbances was hormonal therapy, which was so common that if it were a celebrity, it would have a star on Hollywood Boulevard by now. However, it seems the tides have changed. Over in France, we see that only 8% of women are now opting for hormone therapy compared to 60% a quarter-century ago. It’s almost like the French women introduced a new revolutionary movement: Non! to hormones! Why? Well, they found out that hormone therapy came with a side of risks—like breast cancer and cardiovascular disease, because let’s be honest, who wants to dance with danger when they’re already dancing with their inner furnace?
Now, many fabulous women are looking at non-hormonal alternatives, things like antidepressants and a bit of good old-fashioned relaxation techniques. Maybe it’s not the most glamorous solution—you won’t be hanging on the edge of your seat waiting for it to arrive like a new iPhone—but anything to dial down the disco inferno at 2 AM is a win!
Meet the Newest Pharmaceuticals: Fezolinetant and Elinzanetant
And here come the heroes of the hour: the new non-hormonal drugs! The first one, Fezolinetant, was given the thumbs up by the FDA in 2023, and it’s doing some serious heavy lifting. I mean, in clinical trials, 80% of women saw their hot flashes cut in half! That’s effectively turning a sauna day into a gentle breeze on a sunny day in the park! Side effects? Minimal headaches—probably just your brain’s way of reminding you that it’s still working after all those years of hormonal chaos.
Listen Up!
> Also listen to the explanations on the lucrative menopause market: The very lucrative menopause market / La Matinale / 1 min. / yesterday at 06:24
How Do These Drugs Work?
So how does this miracle-worker of a medication actually function? Well, it’s got a direct line to those cheeky little neurons in the hypothalamus—essentially the brain’s thermostat. During menopause, estrogen hits an all-time low and those neuronal receptors get a bit hyperactive, creating a situation that makes you feel like you’re living inside a volcano. But fear not! These new treatments are like taking the batteries out of the smoke alarm—puff, puff, pass that hot flash right out!
But let’s not confuse ‘victory’ with ‘all clear.’ While these drugs are certainly a blessing for hot flashes, they won’t tackle other delightful symptoms you might be experiencing, like vaginal dryness or osteoporosis. It’s like deciding to wear a new fancy hat without acknowledging that your shoes are mismatched; it’s a step, not a full makeover!
In conclusion, while we might not have a magic wand to make menopause just a memory, new treatments are providing some serious relief. So here’s to celebrating the spirit of World Menopause Day: may your hot flashes become cool breezes, and may you always find the remote when you need it. Cheers to you, ladies!
Sources: Didier Pradervand/hkr
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.
>> Also listen to the explanations on the lucrative menopause market:
The very lucrative menopause market / La Matinale / 1 min. / yesterday at 06:24
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
