A social media pattern has some girls pairing over-the-counter allergy drugs with the heartburn drug Pepcid AC with the concept that the combo has a particular capability to ease perimenopause and menopause signs like scorching flashes, evening sweats, and anxiousness.
One influencer, @thebeautybybrenda, claims utilizing these drugs in tandem can cease a “vicious loop” contained in the physique pushed by menopausal modifications, particularly fluctuating ranges of the feminine intercourse hormone estrogen. The drug combo, she claims, can “take some stress off your complete system.”
However scientists say there isn’t a analysis on human topics to help the notion that this drugstore hack has a significant affect on perimenopause and menopause signs.
Additionally they level out that this DIY strategy has some attainable drawbacks, together with uncomfortable side effects and attainable interactions with different medicine.
What Is the Rationale for This Social Media Pattern?
Theoretically, this drug combo has some foundation in science. Each Pepcid AC and antihistamine allergy medicine work by blocking histamine receptors within the physique, and histamine and estrogen do work together.
Histamine is a chemical compound naturally produced by immune cells, together with mast cells, in response to a menace like an allergen.
Estrogen stimulates (prompts) mast cells, says Amy Voedisch, MD, a gynecologist and a scientific affiliate professor at Stanford Well being in California.
The connection between estrogen and mast cell activation could also be why some girls discover that their allergy symptoms or allergy signs change over the course of their menstrual cycle, she says.
“Ladies may discover a change of their allergy symptoms throughout perimenopause and menopause. Some might discover an enchancment, others might expertise worse signs, and a few girls might not discover any modifications,” says Dr. Voedisch.
Voedisch provides that there at the moment is restricted proof on what function, if any, histamine performs in menopausal signs.
Signs of Mast Cell Activation and Menopause Sometimes Aren’t the Identical
Signs of perimenopause and menopause don’t overlap with classical signs of mast cell activation, says Onyinye Iweala, MD, PhD, an allergist-immunologist and doctor scientist on the College of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
- Insomnia
- Despair
- Anxiousness
- Weight acquire
- Thinning hair
- Dry pores and skin
- Steadily needing to pee
- Vaginal dryness
- Lowered sexual need
Signs of mast cell activation, Dr. Iweala says, embrace:
- Itchy hives and swelling
- Flushing, itching pores and skin
- Belly cramping with sudden onset diarrhea
- Throat tightness
- Chest tightness
- Repetitive sneezing and coughing or a throat-clearing sensation
Might Antihistamines Ease Menopause Signs Regardless of the Lack of Scientific Proof?
“It’s attainable some might really feel higher on antihistamines, nevertheless it’s unclear why,” Voedisch says.
Signs of mast cell activation “can completely affect temper and stop of us from getting restorative sleep,” Iweala says. Allergy medicine can ease these signs and make folks drowsy, doubtlessly providing aid from insomnia.
And it’s attainable there’s a histamine-menopause connection researchers don’t totally perceive but, Voedisch says.
However proper now, most specialists don’t assume that histamines have a direct affect on the basis explanation for perimenopause or menopause signs.
Potential Dangers of This Drug Combo
Pepcid AC and antihistamine allergy drugs are extensively used and secure for many individuals when taken as directed. However over-the-counter doesn’t imply risk-free, particularly if somebody is taking them repeatedly or combining merchandise.
Potential uncomfortable side effects of antihistamines can embrace sedation, confusion, dizziness, headache, and different medication-related dangers, says Stephanie Faubion, MD, a gynecologist and the director of the Mayo Clinic Heart for Ladies’s Well being in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Faubion additionally serves because the medical director of the Menopause Society.
“Usually talking, these are secure drugs, however I like to recommend reviewing your medical historical past and your drugs along with your doctor to make sure there are not any contraindications to make use of,” Voedisch says.
Even folks with out these situations ought to discuss with their physician in the event that they’re taking these medicine for an prolonged time period.
Efficient, FDA-Accepted Remedies Already Exist for Perimenopause and Menopause Signs
Ladies don’t have to decide on between toughing it out and attempting a social media gimmick, Faubion says, as a result of there are confirmed therapies for perimenopause and menopause signs.
“The best therapies are FDA-approved hormonal therapies. There are all kinds of approaches, and it’s greatest to evaluation your private historical past with a menopause skilled,” says Voedisch.
For folks in perimenopause, choices might embrace mixed hormonal contraceptives, particularly when contraception or bleeding management can be wanted, says Faubion.
For warm flashes and evening sweats, FDA-approved remedy choices embrace:
- Menopause hormone remedy, which will help with scorching flashes and vaginal dryness, and may assist shield bone well being in some girls.
- Fezolinetant (Veozah), an FDA-approved nonhormonal remedy for average to extreme scorching flashes as a consequence of perimenopause and menopause.
- Elinzanetant (Lynkuet), a nonhormonal remedy for average to extreme scorching flashes as a consequence of menopause.
- Low-dose paroxetine mesylate (Brisdelle), a nonhormonal choice for average to extreme scorching flashes related to menopause.
For vaginal dryness or ache with intercourse, moisturizers, lubricants, vaginal estrogen, and different prescription choices might assist.
The Backside Line: Ought to You Attempt Combining Pepcid AC and an Antihistamine for Menopause Signs?
Faubion doesn’t suggest that girls do this for his or her perimenopause or menopause signs. “We’ve got way more efficient choices,” she says.
“There is no such thing as a information to help the usage of antihistamines for menopause symptom administration, interval,” says Faubion.
To be clear, specialists aren’t towards open dialogue and sharing of signs and potential treatments. “It’s nice that we’re asking these questions and citing these concepts. We desperately want extra analysis in midlife girls’s well being,” says Voedisch.
However we now have to watch out with overstating the data that we do know and making guarantees about new therapies with out having the proof to again it up, she says.
“Ladies should know the reality: what we all know physiologically about what is going on in perimenopause and menopause and what therapies we all know work. However in addition they have to know what we do not know but, to allow them to make your best option for his or her well being,” she says.
