Venlafaxine vs. Low-Dose Estradiol for Hot Flashes

Both agents showed modest efficacy for managing menopausal vasomotor symptoms.

Although estrogen and estrogen-progestin therapies continue to be the most effective treatments for women with bothersome menopausal vasomotor symptoms (VMS), many such women are interested in nonhormonal options. In a blinded 8-week trial supported by the National Institutes of Health, investigators randomized 339 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women (mean age, 55; 60% white) with at least 2 bothersome VMS daily (mean, 8.1) to daily 0.5-mg oral estradiol, 75-mg venlafaxine, or placebo.

At 8 weeks compared with baseline, mean frequency of VMS fell by 52.9% in the estradiol group, 47.6% in the venlafaxine group, and 28.6% in the placebo group. Daily hot-flash frequency was reduced by 2.3 VMS with estradiol and 1.8 VMS with venlafaxine comp…

Reviewing Author

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Venlafaxine vs. Low-Dose Estradiol for Hot Flashes

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Reviewing Author