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Estrogen therapy has proven effective for treating menopausal vasomotor complaints, sexual dysfunction, and mood swings; however, many clinicians and patients have been reluctant to rely on hormone treatments because of safety concerns. Alternative treatments such as herbal supplements and soy have shown limited efficacy (Ann Intern Med 2006; 145:869), and results with SSRIs, gabapentin, and clonidine have varied. The acceptability of SSRIs for the treatment of hot flashes is tempered by adverse events such as weight change and decreased libido; thus, characterizing women who are most likely to respond to treatment with SSRIs would be clinically useful.
Investigators conducted a 10-week, randomized, crossover trial in 87 peri- and postmenopa…