Hot Flashes (cont.)
Complementary and alternative treatments
Some women report that exercise programs or
relaxation methods have helped to
control hot flashes, but controlled studies have failed to show a benefit of
these practices in relieving the symptoms of hot flashes. Maintaining a cool
sleep environment and the use of cotton bedclothes can help ease some of the
discomfort associated with hot flashes and associated night sweats.
Many women turn to alternative therapies, including
herbal products, vitamins, plant estrogens, and other substances, for the treatment of hot
flashes. Doctors can be reluctant to recommend alternative treatments because
these nonprescription products are not regulated by the FDA (like prescription
medications), and their ingredients and strength can vary from manufacturer to
manufacturer. For products that are not regulated by the FDA, testing and proof
of safety is not required for marketing of these products. Long-term,
scientifically controlled studies for these products are either lacking or have
not proved the safely and effectiveness of many of the so-called natural or
alternative remedies.
Some alternative treatments, however, have been evaluated in well-designed
clinical trials. Alternative treatments that have been scientifically studied
with some research include phytoestrogens (plant estrogens, isoflavones), black
cohosh, and vitamin E.
Phytoestrogens
Isoflavones are chemical compounds found in soy and other plants (such as
chick peas and lentils) that are phytoestrogens, or plant-derived estrogens.
They have a chemical structure that is similar to the estrogens naturally
produced by the body, but their effectiveness as an estrogen has been determined
to be much lower than true estrogens.
Some studies have shown that these compounds may help relieve hot flashes and
other symptoms of menopause. In particular, women who have had breast cancer and
do not want to take hormone therapy (HT) with estrogen sometimes use soy
products for relief of menopausal symptoms. However, some phytoestrogens can
actually have anti-estrogenic properties in certain situations, and the overall
risks of these preparations have not yet been determined.
There is also a perception among many women that plant estrogens are
"natural" and therefore safer than hormone therapy, but this has never been proven
scientifically. Further research is needed to fully characterize the safety and
potential risks of phytoestrogens.
Next: Black cohosh »
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