Although estrogen is highly effective for the treatment of hot flushes, many women are reluctant to use hormone therapy to manage these symptoms, given recent concerns that estrogen may carry certain risks. Several studies have demonstrated that gabapentin (Neurontin) and certain antidepressants, including paroxetine (Paxil) and venlafaxine (Effexor), may be useful non-hormonal treatments for the [...]
Tag Archives: hot flushes
Hot Flashes or Depression: Which Comes First?
September 14, 2009 – 9:37 am
Hot flashes and depression are both common symptoms of the menopause transition. Several studies have found a relationship between depression and hot flashes: depressed women are more likely to experience hot flashes and women with hot flashes are more likely to have depression. Other studies have found no association between hot flashes and depression. The [...]
Citalopram (Celexa) Effective for Treating Hot Flashes
September 8, 2008 – 10:38 am
For decades, estrogen has been used to treat menopausal symptoms, including night sweats and hot flushes. However, after studies reported that estrogen may have an adverse effect on risk for cardiovascular disease and breast cancer, many patients and clinicians have looked into alternative treatments for hot flashes, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The North [...]
Acupuncture for the Treatment of Menopausal Hot Flushes
March 31, 2008 – 3:08 pm
Many women report vasomotor symptoms, including hot flushes and night sweats, during the menopausal transition. While estrogen is clearly one of the most effective treatments for vasomotor symptoms, recent concerns regarding the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have made treaters much more reluctant to recommend HRT, even for short-term management of vasomotor symptoms. A [...]
Paroxetine CR May Be Helpful for Menopausal Women Discontinuing Hormone Therapy
November 12, 2007 – 6:40 pm
Estrogen was first approved by the FDA for the treatment of menopausal symptoms in 1942, and for many decades estrogen replacement therapy had been widely prescribed for peri- and post-menopausal women. In 2002, however, data from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) suggested that hormonal therapy may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer [...]
Venlafaxine (Effexor) for Postmenopausal Hot Flushes
January 18, 2005 – 4:00 pm
During the menopausal transition, up to 85% of women experience vasomotor symptoms of hot flushes and night sweats. For many women, hot flushes may be severe; they can interfere with work and other daily activities and affect sleep quality. Hot flushes may be associated with fatigue, poor concentration, and depression. Given the recent data from [...]
