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Blog | Health & Nutrition
Oct 30, 2026

SHL: Consider Skipping the Prescription and Opt for a Side-Effect-Free Way to Curb Menopausal Symptoms

Vanita Rahman, MD, DipABLM

The American College of Physicians (ACP) this fall issued new guidance for women with menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats, that calls for hormone replacement therapy as a first line of treatment. Second- and third-line treatment options are also prescription medications. At the Barnard Medical Center, I discuss with women a side effect-free option that can work just as well to eliminate the symptoms that often disrupt work, sleep, and daily life: a whole food, plant-based diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.