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Many women — including those with menopause caused by treatment for breast cancer — cannot or choose not to use estrogen (the most effective therapy for relieving vasomotor symptoms [VMS]) or less-effective medications (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Uncontrolled studies of stellate ganglion block (SGB) have suggested that this procedure can alleviate VMS. Now, investigators have conducted a randomized trial to compare SGB (bupivacaine injection) versus sham (saline injection) in 40 women with moderate to severe VMS. Participants maintained symptom diaries for at least 2 weeks before the procedure and throughout the 6-month study period; hot flashes were documented objectively with sternal skin conductance monitors.
At basel…