What Are My Options for Treating Hot Flashes?
Question
How can I treat these hot flashes?
Answer
It is important for women to have comprehensive information about the treatment options available so they can decide which one is best for them. Estradiol, a potent form of estrogen, is a bioidentical hormone that has been proven effective in treating hot flashes in numerous studies. The FDA has approved various estradiol-containing products. Side effects of estradiol can be found here.
One side effect could be chest pain. Studies have shown that an increased risk of heart disease and stroke emerges within the first year of hormone therapy. The NWHN believes that if women choose to use menopause hormone therapy (HT), they should choose one of the products approved by the FDA and should use the lowest effective dose for as short as possible to avoid the associated risks. The Network recommends that women who experience troublesome hot flashes try non-hormonal therapies first.
Alternative treatment methods are available for women seeking to manage their hot flash symptoms without the use of hormone based therapy. The NWHN has created consumer health information describing the various approaches women use to manage and minimize their hot flashes. Your healthcare provider can help you weigh your options and choose the method that is best for you.
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained on or available through this website is for general information purposes only.
Evita Almassi, MSW, served as the Communications and Digital Marketing Manager for the NWHN. Her 10+ years in nonprofit communications – especially with social media advocacy campaigns – enabled the NWHN to reach and empower more women in their health education and advocacy journeys.
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