“Deciding whether and how to treat the symptoms of the menopausal transition can be complicated and personal. Discuss your symptoms, family and medical history…”.1
Umbrella
What may the Hot Flushes Treatment Umbrella include?
Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:
- Complementary and Integrative Health
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Hormone Therapy
- Hot Flashes/Flushes Treatment/s
- NonHormonal Prescriptions
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Cure or Not
Does hot flushes treatment cure hot flushes?
In Menopause FAQs: Hot Flashes – Q. Are there treatments for hot flashes? the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) elaborate on:
“A. Although the available treatments for hot flashes do not cure hot flashes, they do offer relief. Hot flashes usually fade away eventually without treatment, and no treatment is necessary unless hot flashes are bothersome. A few women have an occasional hot flash forever. There are a number of low-risk coping strategies and lifestyle changes that may be helpful for managing hot flashes, but if hot flashes remain very disruptive, prescription drug therapy may be considered”.2
Hormone Therapy
Is menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) an effective hot flushes treatment?
One of the International Menopause Society’s (IMS) governing principles in the 2016 IMS Recommendations on Women’s Midlife Health and Menopause Hormone Therapy: IMS Governing Principles on MHT published online 12 February 2016, is:
- “MHT remains the most effective therapy for vasomotor symptoms and urogenital atrophy”.3
What are vasomotor symptoms?
The IMS explain:
“Hot flushes and night sweats are also referred to as Vasomotor Symptoms (VMS)”.4
What is urogenital atrophy?
Urogenital atrophy, atrophic vaginitis or the genito-urinary syndrome of menopause may include changes to a woman’s urinary system and vagina, such as vaginal atrophy and vaginal dryness.
What do the NAMS note about HT?
The NAMS note:
“Prescription hormone therapy approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and by Health Canada—systemic estrogen therapy and estrogen-progestogen therapy for women with a uterus—are the standard treatments”.5
Uterus
What HT may women who have a uterus be prescribed for hot flushes treatment?
In Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms – Q. What is hormone therapy? the NAMS elaborate on:
“A. …Women who still have a uterus need to take a progestogen in addition to estrogen or the estrogen-SERM combination to protect against uterine cancer”.6
What is another FDA-approved HT women who have a uterus may be prescribed for hot flushes treatment?
In Menopause FAQs: Hot Flashes – Q. Are there treatments for hot flashes? according to the NAMS:
“A. …Another FDA-approved hormone product for women with a uterus combines estrogen with the selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) bazedoxifene instead of a progestogen. Bazedoxifene is an estrogen agonist/antagonist, which means that it works like estrogen in some tissues while inhibiting estrogen activity in others. In this case, it helps to protect the uterus from cancer”.7
No Uterus
What HT may women who do not have a uterus be prescribed for hot flushes treatment?
In Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms – Q. What is hormone therapy? the NAMS elaborate on:
“A. …Women who have had a hysterectomy (had their uterus removed) can use estrogen alone to control their hot flashes”.8
Hormone Therapy Alternatives
Are HT alternatives available for hot flushes treatment?
In NonHormonal Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms the Australasian Menopause Society elaborate on:
“Many women request non-hormonal treatments for menopausal symptoms”.9
The (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) note:
- “If you cannot take MHT, other medications such as antidepressants – selective serotonin (SSRIs) or norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) – and a chronic pain medicine can reduce hot flushes”.10
Antidepressants
What are a group of antidepressants called SSRIs/SNRIs?
In Menopause Management: Non-Hormonal Prescription Medications: Antidepressants the JH explain:
“A group of antidepressants called SSRIs/SNRIs (selective serotonin or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors – for example, venlafaxine, paroxetine, escitalopram and fluoxetine) have been studied and found to relieve hot flushes. If these medications are going to be effective in reducing hot flushes, they will do so quite quickly. Like all medications, these can have side effects, some examples being nausea, dry mouth and/or insomnia. Paradoxically, sometimes these medications can cause sweats. In breast cancer survivors on tamoxifen, paroxetine and fluoxetine should not be taken as they can reduce the effectiveness of the tamoxifen”.11
In Hot Flashes: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatments: Antidepressants the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:
- Venlafaxine (Effexor XR, Pristiq)
- Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)”.12
The Mayo Clinic also note:
One of the points of consensus about in the Revised Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy – endorsed by seven menopause-related organizations – published online 20 June 2016, is:
- “If MHT is contraindicated or not desired for treatment of VMS, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors such as paroxetine, escitalopram, venlafaxine and desvenlafaxine, which have been shown to be effective in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), may be considered. Gabapentin may also be considered”.14
Gabapentin
What is Gabapentin?
In Menopause Management: Non-Hormonal Prescription Medications: Gabapentin the JH explain:
“Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant and chronic pain medication and has been shown to diminish hot flushes. Side effects may include a rash, dizziness and sleepiness, so it should be taken mainly at night”.15
Clonidine
What is Clonidine?
In Menopause Management: Non-Hormonal Prescription Medications: Clonidine the JH explain:
“Clonidine is a medication for high blood pressure and migraine that has been shown to reduce hot flushes. Side effects may include dry mouth, dizziness and drowsiness”.16
Complementary and Integrative Health
What may be the elephant in the room with choosing to use complementary and integrative health for hot flushes treatment?
In 4 Things To Know About Menopausal Symptoms and Complementary Health Practices. 2 the (United States) National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) elaborate on:
“Many natural products, such as black cohosh, soy isoflavone supplements, and DHEA, have been studied for their effects on menopausal symptoms, but scientists have found little evidence that they are helpful. There is also no conclusive evidence that the herbs red clover, kava, or dong quai reduce hot flashes”.17
In Hot Flashes: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment: Alternative Medicine the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:
“Many women have turned to alternative medicine, including mind and body techniques and dietary supplements to help curb hot flashes. There’s a shortage of well-designed studies on complementary health practices for hot flashes, but research is progressing”.18
In Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Managing Your Symptoms – Hot Flushes and Night Sweats the (British) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) elaborate on:
“Some women find that the dietary supplements black cohosh and isoflavones can reduce their hot flushes and night sweats. However, the ingredients of these products may vary and their safety is unknown. They may also interfere with any other medicines you are taking”.19
St John’s Wort
Can St John’s wort used for hot flushes treatment?
In Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Treating Menopausal Symptoms – Non-Prescribed Treatments: St John’s Wort the NICE explain:
“Some women have found St John’s wort can reduce their hot flushes and night sweats during menopause. However, the ingredients of products containing St John’s wort may vary and their effects are uncertain. Also, these products can interfere with other drugs, including those used to treat breast cancer (for example, tamoxifen)”.20
Health Care Provider
What if I would like help with my hot flushes treatment?
If you would like help with your hot flushes, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. The Mayo Clinic note:
“If hot flashes affect your daily activities or nighttime sleep, consider seeing your doctor to discuss treatment options”.21
In Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? Treating Menopause Symptoms – What’s Right for Me? the (United States) National Institute on Aging elaborate on:
No matter what you decide, see your doctor every year to talk about your treatment plan and discuss any changes you want to make”.22
In 4 Things To Know About Menopausal Symptoms and Complementary Health Practices. 4 the NCCIH remind us:
“Tell all your health care providers about any complementary health practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care”.23
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics related to Hot Flushes Treatment?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
Links
Where may I find Links related to Hot Flushes Treatment?
Your Country may have Links similar to:
Links
This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.- 2016 IMS Recommendations on Women’s Midlife Health and Menopause Hormone Therapy
- 9 Myths and Misunderstandings About Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT): 6. Myth – Complementary Medicines and Therapies Are As Effective As MHT and Safer
- 9 Myths and Misunderstandings About Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT): 7. Myth – Compounded Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Is Safer Than Conventional MHT
- Acupuncture for Hot Flashes [Video]
- Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
- Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
- Caffeine and Menopause Symptoms: Is There A Link?
- Calores Súbitos (Sofocos): ¿Qué Puedo Hacer?
- Certain Characteristics Predispose Women To Different Hot Flush and Night Sweat Patterns
- Combined Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
Complementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms
- Deciding About Hormone Therapy
- Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
- Decidir Sobre La Hormonoterapia
- Gabapentin for the Treatment of Hot Flushes In Menopause: A Meta-Analysis [Video]
- HRT
- HRT Benefits and Risks
- HRT and the Risk of Breast Cancer Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Alternatives
- Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
- Hot Flashes
- Hot Flashes: Manage Without Medication?
- Hot Flashes: What Can I Do?
- Hot Flashes? Night Sweats? Progesterone Can Help Reduce Symptoms of Menopause
- Hot Flushes and Night Sweats – Background Information
- How Long Does Menopause Last? – Ask Dr Jean
- Information About Menopause [Multiply Languages] [Videos]
- Lifestyle and Behaviour Changes for Menopausal Symptoms
- Lifestyle and Behavioural Modifications for Menopausal Symptoms
- MHT and Breast Cancer Risk
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: Dietary Supplements Useful In Some Situations, But Also Can Be Harmful
- Meditation: A Simple, Fast Way To Reduce Stress
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause & Herbs
- Menopause FAQs: Hot Flashes – Q. Are there treatments for hot flashes?
- Menopause FAQs: Hot Flashes – Q. How long will I have hot flashes?
- Menopause FAQs: Hot Flashes – Q. Is it safe to take dietary supplements or herbal therapies for my menopause symptoms?
- Menopause Hormone Therapy: Who Shouldn’t Take It?
- Menopause Matters
- Menopause Symptoms and Relief – Menopause Symptom: Hot Flashes
- Menopause Treatment
- Menopause – Complementary Therapies [Video]
- Menopause – Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (HRT) Safe? [ Multiply Languages] [Video]
- Menopause – Non-Hormonal Treatment Options [Multiply Languages] [Video]
- Menopause – What Are the Symptoms? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
- Menopause – What Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (HRT)? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
- Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment
- Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause – Treatment for Menopausal Symptoms [NICE Guideline]
- Menopause: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Hot Flushes
- Menopause: Hot Flushes and Sweats [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Medicines To Help You
- Menopause: Menopause – Hormone Treatments
- Menopause: Non-HRT and Lifestyle Options [Video Interview Stories]
- NAMS 2017 Position Statement Updates Guidelines for Hormone Therapy Use: Hormone Therapy Remains the Most Effective Treatment for Hot Flashes and Other Troublesome Menopause Symptoms, Regardless of A Woman’s Age
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 4 Things To Know About Menopausal Symptoms and Complementary Health Practices
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms In Depth – What the Science Says About Complementary Health Approaches for Menopausal Symptoms
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Milk Thistle [Silybum Marianum]
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Red Clover
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Sage
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Soy
- Natural Therapies & Supplements
- Non-Hormonal Treatment Options for Menopausal Symptoms
- NonHormonal Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms: Hot Flushes and Night Sweats (Vasomotor Symptoms)
- Oestrogen Only Menopausal Hormone Therapy
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Black Cohosh
- Paced Breathing: Can It Help With Hot Flashes?
- Perimenopause: Diagnosis & Treatment
- Phytoestrogens
- Practical Prescribing Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Risks and Benefits of MHT/HRT
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Understanding Menopause – Booklet
- Understanding Premature & Early Menopause – Booklet
- Video Series-2018 – Nonhormone Prescription Options for Hot Flashes
- Video Series-2018 – The Truth About Nonpharmacologic Options for Hot Flashes
- Video Series-2019 – Advances In Our Understanding of the Etiology/Mechanisms of Hot Flashes
- Video Series-2020 – TSECs—A New Treatment for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
- Video Series-2020 – What You Need To Know About Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
- Video Series-2021 – What Women Need To Know About Hormone Therapies
- What Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) and Is It Safe?
- What You Need To Know About Dietary Supplements
- Women’s Wellness: Hot Flashes and Night Sweats Happen After Menopause
- Women’s Wellness: Mindfulness May Ease Menopausal Symptoms
- Women’s Wellness: Treating Hot Flashes and Night Sweats Without Hormones [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? Treating Menopause Symptoms: What’s Right for Me? Content Reviewed: 26 June 2017. National Institute on Aging https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hot-flashes-what-can-i-do Accessed: 05 October 2020
- Menopause FAQs: Hot Flashes – Q. Are there treatments for hot flashes? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-hot-flashes Accessed: 05 October 2020
- Baber, R. J., Panay N. and Fenton, A., the IMS Writing Group (2016). 2016 IMS Recommendations on Women’s Midlife Health and Menopause Hormone Therapy: IMS Governing Principles on MHT. Climacteric 19:2, 110 https://www.imsociety.org/manage/images/pdf/4429e3dd302aac259ad68c3be7f60599.pdf Accessed: 05 October 2020
- Hot Flushes and Night Sweats – Background Information: What Are Hot Flushes and Night Sweats? October 2011:1. International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/downloads/world_menopause_day_2011/wmd_media_backgrounder.pdf Accessed: 05 October 2020
- Menopause FAQs: Hot Flashes – Q. Are there treatments for hot flashes? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-hot-flashes Accessed: 05 October 2020
- Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms – Q. What is hormone therapy? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-hormone-therapy-for-menopause-symptoms Accessed: 05 October 2020
- Menopause FAQs: Hot Flashes – Q. Are there treatments for hot flashes? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-hot-flashes Accessed: 05 October 2020
- Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms – Q. What is hormone therapy? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-hormone-therapy-for-menopause-symptoms Accessed: 05 October 2020
- NonHormonal Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms. Content Updated September 2018. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/600-nonhormonal-treatments-for-menopausal-symptoms Accessed: 05 October 2020
- Menopause: What Can You Do To Help With Menopause? Updated September 2018:2. Jean Hailes https://jeanhailes.org.au/contents/documents/Resources/Fact_sheets/Menopause.pdf Accessed: 05 October 2020
- Menopause Management: Non-Hormonal Prescription Medications: Antidepressants. Last Updated: 30 July 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 October 2017. Jean Hailes https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management Accessed: 05 October 2020
- Hot Flashes: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment: Antidepressants. 24 April 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hot-flashes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352795 Accessed: 05 October 2020
- Hot Flashes: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment: Antidepressants. 24 April 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hot-flashes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352795 Accessed: 05 October 2020
- De Villiers, T. J., Hall, J. E., Pinkerton, J. V., Pérez, S. C., Rees, M., Yang, C. and Pierroz, D. D. Revised Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Section A: Benefit/Risk Profile of MHT. Climacteric, 2016;19:4:313 https://www.imsociety.org/manage/images/pdf/ba6379e868044bec13015ac2b84f2753.pdf Accessed: 05 October 2020
- Menopause Management: Non-Hormonal Prescription Medications: Gabapentin. Last Updated: 30 July 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 October 2017. Jean Hailes https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management Accessed: 05 October 2020
- Menopause Management: Non-Hormonal Prescription Medications: Clonidine. Last Updated: 30 July 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 October 2017. Jean Hailes https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management Accessed: 05 October 2020
- 4 Things To Know About Menopausal Symptoms and Complementary Health Practices. 2. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/tips/things-to-know-about-menopausal-symptoms-and-complementary-health-practices Accessed: 05 October 2020
- Hot Flashes: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment: Alternative Medicine. 24 April 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hot-flashes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352795 Accessed: 05 October 2020
- Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Managing Your Symptoms – Hot Flushes and Night Sweats. Published Date: 12 November 2015. Last Updated: 05 December 2019. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/ifp/chapter/Managing-your-symptoms Accessed: 05 October 2020
- Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Treating Menopausal Symptoms – Non-Prescribed Treatments: St John’s Wort. Published Date: 12 November 2015. Last Updated: 05 December 2019. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/ifp/chapter/Treating-menopausal-symptoms Accessed: 05 October 2020
- Hot Flashes: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms and Causes: Symptoms – When To See A Doctor. 24 April 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hot-flashes/symptoms-causes/syc-20352790 Accessed: 05 October 2020
- Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? Treating Menopause Symptoms: What’s Right for Me? Content Reviewed: 26 June 2017. National Institute on Aging https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hot-flashes-what-can-i-do Accessed: 05 October 2020
- 4 Things To Know About Menopausal Symptoms and Complementary Health Practices. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/tips/things-to-know-about-menopausal-symptoms-and-complementary-health-practices Accessed: 05 October 2020