#7 - Cleveland Clinic Top 10 Medical Innovations for 2022

Non-Hormonal Alternatives for Menopause: A new group of non-hormonal drugs, called NK3R antagonists, have emerged as a viable alternative to hormone therapy.

More than 50% of all menopausal women experience hot flashes, which can persist for an average of seven years. While effective and safe when used appropriately, hormone therapy involves some risk and not all patients are appropriate candidates or ready to try this treatment option. Fortunately, a new group of non-hormonal drugs, called NK3R antagonists, have emerged as a viable alternative to hormone therapy. These drugs disrupt a signaling pathway in the brain that has been linked to the development of hot flashes and have shown promise in clinical trials for relieving moderate to severe menopausal hot flashes as effectively as hormones. While additional studies are needed to fully understand the effectiveness and safety of these new drugs, it is clear that the next generation of non-hormonal treatments for menopausal hot flashes is on the horizon.