Still Looking for Effective Nonhormonal Hot Flash Therapies

Acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and other nonestrogenic therapies resulted in modest improvements in hot flash frequency; head-to-head comparisons with estrogen are lacking.

Bothersome hot flashes, which affect more than half of postmenopausal women, are effectively treated with estrogens; however, adverse effects have prompted efforts to identify effective nonestrogenic therapies. Now, three studies add to our knowledge about the effectiveness of such approaches for treating hot flashes.

In a randomized Norwegian study, investigators assessed the effects of acupuncture plus self-provided care (e.g., soy, herbs, physical activity, and relaxation techniques) or self-care alone on hot flash frequency and intensity in 248 postmenopausal women. At 12 weeks, women in the acupuncture group reported greater reductions in hot flash frequency and intensity (P<0.001) than did women in the control group. Acupuncture recipi…

Reviewing Author

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

Still Looking for Effective Nonhormonal Hot Flash Therapies

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Reviewing Author