Which drug class is used to treat vasomotor symptoms of menopause?

• A. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
• B. Immunosuppressant
• C. Lipid-Lowering Agent
• D. Ophthalmic Anti-Infective

Answer: (A)

Vasomotor symptoms during menopause come from decreased estrogen, which destabilizes the hypothalamic thermoregulatory center. Replacing hormones with Hormone Replacement Therapy provides estrogen (often with progestin if the patient has a uterus), directly counteracting the hormonal deficit and smoothing out the thermostat in the brain. This reduces hot flashes and night sweats and often improves sleep and quality of life. The progestin part helps protect the lining of the uterus when estrogen is given. Other drug classes listed don’t address the hormonal changes driving these symptoms, so they’re not used for treating vasomotor symptoms. Hormone Replacement Therapy is the treatment class that directly treats this issue.