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Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• Introduction to menopause and hot flashes
• What are hot flashes?
• How are hot flashed usually treated?
• Which alternative prescription medications are effective in treating hot flash symptoms of menopause?
• Why are some doctors reluctant to recommend nonprescription therapies for menopause symptoms?
• What alternative treatments for menopause have been scientifically studied?
• Alternatives for Treating Hot Flashes At A Glance
• Patient Comments: Hot Flashes of Menopause - Alternative Treatments
• Patient Comments: Alternative Treatments for Hot Flashes - Treatments
• Patient Comments: Alternative Treatments For Hot Flashes - Experience
• Find a local Obstetrician-Gynecologist in your town
• Alternative Treatments for Hot Flashes Index

A few prescription medications, in addition to estrogen, can provide relief for hot flashes. While none of these drugs is as effective as estrogen, studies show that non-estrogen drugs may have up to 70% of the effectiveness of estrogen therapy when treating hot flashes.

1. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI's): This class of medication is used to treat depression and anxiety. In clinical studies, however, low doses of SSRI's have been shown to be effective in decreasing menopausal hot flashes. The SSRI that has been tested most extensively is venlafaxine (Effexor), although there is also evidence showing that paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR) and fluoxetine (Prozac) can be effective in controlling hot flashes.
   
   
2. Clonidine: Clonidine (Catapres) acts in the brain to decrease blood pressure. It has a long history of being used for blood pressure control, but it has potentially annoying side effects, such as dry mouth, constipation, drowsiness, or difficulty sleeping. Clonidine effectively relieves hot flashes in some women but is completely ineffective in others. Clonidine is available in pill or patch form.
   
   
3. Megestrol acetate (Megace): This medication is a type of progesterone, a female hormone. It can be effective in relieving hot flashes, but can only be taken over the short term (for several months). Serious effects can occur if the medication is abruptly discontinued, and megestrol is not usually recommended as a first-line drug to treat hot flashes. Megestrol use can also lead to weight gain.
   
   
4. Studies of another form of progesterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera), which is administered by injection, have also shown that this medication can be useful in treating hot flashes. This drug can be used long-term but may have side effects that include weight gain and bone loss.
   
   
5. Gabapentin: Gabapentin (Neurontin) is a drug that is primarily used for the treatment of seizures that appears to be moderately effective in treating hot flashes. The drug is well tolerated by most women, but often causes drowsiness.