Menopause & Dietary Suplements. Your Questions Answered by our Internal Specialist, Dr. Mera

Dietary supplements and other over-the-counter (OTC), nonprescription therapies for treating menopause symptoms should only be used with appropriate oversight from a healthcare professional. Few OTC therapies have the patient package insert that provides vital information on the safety and effectiveness of the drug. Although a number of manufacturers do employ rigorous quality-control measures, many products are not monitored for purity or levels of active ingredients.

Dietary supplements or herbal therapies can interact with prescription drugs, resulting in either increased or decreased effects of the drug, the supplement or both. Until clinical trials provide scientific evidence of the effectiveness and safety of any given supplement, it is always best to speak to your clinician before using any dietary supplements and to inform your physician if you are already taking them.