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Non-Hormonal Therapies Against Hot Flashes During Menopause

Filed in archive Drugs, Vaccines and Therapeutics on May 4, 2006

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Estrogen therapy is commonly recommended to alleviate menopausal women of some symptoms such as hot flashes. However, not all women cannot take estrogen, such as those with breast cancer or a history of breast cancer and blood clots. Researchers from the Oregon Health & Science University evaluated the efficacy of other alternatives. In a review of published clinical studies , they evaluated 10 trials of antidepressants, 10 trials of clonidine (high blood pressure medication), six trials of other medications and 17 trials of isoflavone extracts from red clover and soy.

The results of the study showed that
  • antidepressants and hypertensive blood pressure medicine decreased the occurence of hot flashes by at least one per day;

  • antiseizure medicine eliminated about two hot flashes a day;

  • and red clover or soy showed no improvement


That last one is a bit intriguing considering that soy and red clover are widely used to treat menopausal disorders because they are rich in isoflavones that act similarly to estrogens. At any rate, although the other medications seemed effective in reducing hot flashes, there were adverse effects observed:
The most common adverse side effects for some women using antidepressants included: headache, nausea, sleep disturbances, dry mouth, decreased appetite, dizziness. Blood pressure medication included: dry mouth, sleep disturbances, headache, constipation. And on the antiseizure medication included sleepiness and fatigue.

The results of the study are published in newest issue of the Journal of American Medical Association.
In conclusion, although they are still not the optimal choices, these medications may be considered as alternatives for those who cannot take estrogen. Newsweek's feature article, Is Estrogen For You?, is an enlightening read for those considering their options.

[Source: OHSU]

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