hot flushes - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Hormone Replacement Therapy: Some Risk But No Impact on Mortality

While there are concerns regarding the risks associated with prolonged use of hormone replacement, an increasing number of studies suggest that the risk may be relatively low in certain settings. A study presented this week at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting which analyzed data from 43 randomized clinical trials suggests that menopausal hormone-replacement therapy does not appear to affect mortality either positively or negatively.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-05T10:19:09-04:00March 12th, 2015|Hormone Therapy, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Menopausal Vasomotor Symptoms Last Longer than Five Years for Most Women

Up to 80% of women experience vasomotor symptoms (VMS) as they transition into the menopause phase. While clinical guidelines suggest that VMS typically last from 6 months to 2 years, we often see women with VMS lasting for a much longer period of time. To more accurately assess the duration of VMS in perimenopausal women, researchers analyzed data from 1449 women included in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN), an observational study of women entering menopause. Here is a summary of the key findings:

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-02-25T12:02:26-04:00February 25th, 2015|Menopausal Symptoms, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Vitamin D and Menopausal Symptoms

A recent study has explored the association between vitamin D levels and vasomotor symptoms in a group of postmenopausal women.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-02-23T17:41:14-04:00December 10th, 2014|Alternative & Complementary, Menopausal Symptoms|Comments Off

CBT is Effective for Menopausal Vasomotor Symptoms

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT is a type of psychotherapy that has been shown to be effective for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. Recently, several randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that CBT is effective for managing vasomotor symptoms in menopausal women.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-02-23T09:55:30-04:00September 30th, 2014|Menopausal Symptoms, Psychotherapy, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Low Dose Paroxetine Improves Sleep in Postmenopausal Symptoms

Last year, the FDA approved the first non-hormonal treatment for hot flashes – a 7.5-mg formulation of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) paroxetine which was marketed under the name of Brisdelle. A new study [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2018-06-09T17:53:30-04:00August 25th, 2014|Medication, Menopausal Symptoms, Sleep Disorders, Treatment|Comments Off

Self-Compassion: A Cure for Menopausal Symptoms?

About 75% of peri- and postmenopausal women have vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats; however, some women experience more distress or "bother" in response to these symptoms. A new research study suggests that certain personality traits may affect how women experience these uncomfortable symptoms.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-07-28T10:47:14-04:00July 23rd, 2014|Menopausal Symptoms, Psychotherapy, Treatment|Comments Off

Meta-Analysis: Acupuncture Effective for Hot Flashes

A recent meta-analysis concludes that acupuncture is effective for the management of menopausal vasomotor symptoms.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2024-07-25T15:08:59-04:00July 20th, 2014|Alternative & Complementary, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

The Effects of Yoga and Exercise on Menopausal Quality of Life

Many women transitioning into the menopause request medical advice on ways to improve their quality of life and to relieve the symptoms associated with the menopausal transition. With concerns regarding the long-term use of estrogen replacement therapy, there has been interest in the use of non-hormonal strategies to manage these symptoms.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2018-12-01T17:21:13-04:00May 20th, 2014|Alternative & Complementary, Depressive Disorders, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Stellate Ganglion Blockade for Vasomotor Symptoms

A study to be published in an upcoming issue of Menopause suggests that stellate ganglion blockade (SGB) may be an effective option for women with vasomotor symptoms (VMS), including hot flashes and night sweats. SGB is used primarily for pain management and involves the injection of local anesthetic into the stellate ganglion, part of the sympathetic nerve system located in the neck.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-03-06T14:44:12-04:00March 5th, 2014|Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

FDA Approves New Hormonal Therapy for Menopausal Symptoms

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a novel estrogen-based drug for women for the treatment of moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms and osteoporosis associated with menopause. Duavee (Wyeth Pharmaceuticals) is a once-a-day tablet containing a combination of conjugated estrogens and bazedoxifene, an estrogen agonist/antagonist.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-04T12:04:14-04:00October 10th, 2013|Medication, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off