Pros and Cons of Treatment for Hot Flashes

Very interesting information. This shows some of the treatments given to women who experience hot flashes due to menopause and their pros and cons

Vitamin E
Pros: May reduce number and severity of hot flashes
Cons: No toxicity of vitamin E; some people get headaches

Megestrol acetate
Pros: Effective progestin treatment for hot flashes
Cons: Weight gain; not studied well in women who have had breast cancer

SSRI drugs
Pros: Shown to be effective for hot flashes and also for depression
Cons: Causes mood changes; can affect sex drive; Paxil has an adverse interaction with tamoxifen

Estrogen
Pros: Very effective at relieving hot flashes; also helps prevent vaginal thinning; prevents bone loss
Cons: Increased risk of breast cancer; increased risk of uterine cancer if estrogen is taken without progesterone; increased risk of blood clots

Neurontin
Pros: Effective for relieving hot flashes, particularly at night; aids in getting to sleep
Cons: Dizziness and lethargy if used during daytime

Medroxyprogesterone acetate
Pros: Very effective for relieving hot flashes; as effective as estrogen
Cons: Weight gain; requires injection, safety in breast cancer patients not fully proven