menopause - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Soy Supplements for Menopausal Symptoms: Higher Doses and More Frequent Dosing May Help

Studies assessing the effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) for the treatment of menopause-related hot flashes have yielded conflicting results. Most studies have demonstrated that treatments such as soy and black cohosh are not likely to be effective in most women; however, a new study suggests that women who take higher doses (100 to 200 mg)of isoflavones and more frequent dosing (2-3 times per day) may experience a greater reduction in the frequency of hot flashes.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-06T10:30:22-04:00May 17th, 2013|Menopausal Symptoms|0 Comments

New Research from the CWMH: Vasomotor Symptoms Frequently Recur After Discontinuation of SSRI

For the treatment of menopausal vasomotor symptoms (VMS), such as hot flashes and night sweats, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are effective and well-tolerated. Positive effects are observed within 4 weeks of the initiation of treatment. However, we do not know how long treatment with an SSRI must be continued in order to maintain control of VMS. Nor do we know if VMS will recur after discontinuation of SSRI or if recurrent VMS may be less frequent or less bothersome after receiving SSRI treatment. A recent report from Dr. Hadine Joffe and colleagues at the Center for Women’s Mental Health assessed the recurrence of vasomotor symptoms in women treated with SSRIs.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:02:52-04:00May 13th, 2013|Menopausal Symptoms, New Research|0 Comments

Mediterranean Diet Benefits Perimenopausal Women with Hot Flashes

In a large study from Australia, researchers found that menopausal women who ate diets high in fruit, certain vegetables, pasta and red wine were 20% less likely to have hot flashes and night sweats.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-06T11:02:25-04:00May 2nd, 2013|Menopausal Symptoms|0 Comments

Research from the CWMH: Duloxetine for Menopausal Symptoms

A substantial proportion of women transitioning into menopause experience a new onset or recurrence of depressive symptoms. A new study from the Center for Women’s Mental Health indicates that duloxetine (Cymbalta) is effective for the treatment of depression and may also have a beneficial effect on vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-06T11:08:15-04:00April 29th, 2013|Menopausal Symptoms|0 Comments

Hypnotherapy for Hot Flashes

Peri- and post-menopausal women have various options for the management of hot flashes, including hormone replacement therapy, SSRIs, and gabapentin. It looks as if hypnosis may also be helpful. In a recent study, researchers randomly assigned postmenopausal women to hypnotherapy or "structured attention," which was used as a control intervention.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T09:39:06-04:00October 28th, 2012|Menopausal Symptoms|2 Comments

Extended Release Gabapentin (Neurontin) for Hot Flashes

Several studies have shown that gabapentin (Neurontin) at 600-2400 mg/day in divided doses is effective for treating hot flashes in menopausal women. Research presented at the annual meeting of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) indicates that an investigational extended release (ER) formulation of gabapentin (Serada, Depomed) is effective for the treatment of hot flashes and sleep disturbance.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2018-07-11T10:33:15-04:00October 21st, 2012|Menopausal Symptoms|0 Comments

Low Dose Paroxetine for the Treatment of Hot Flashes

For decades, estrogen has been used to treat menopausal symptoms, including night sweats and hot flashes. However, after studies reported that estrogen increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer, many patients and clinicians have looked into alternative treatments for hot flashes, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T10:51:17-04:00October 16th, 2012|Menopausal Symptoms|1 Comment

New Research from the CWMH: Escitalopram and Sleep in Midlife Women with Vasomotor Symptoms

Selective serotonin and serotonin-norepinephrine inhibitors (SSRIs and SNRIs) have been shown to be effective for the treatment of hot flashes. However, these agents may carry certain side effects, including sexual side effects and sleep disturbance. These two side effects may be particularly concerning to peri- and postmenopausal women who, in addition to having vasomotor symptoms, are more likely to experience sexual dysfunction and sleep disruption than premenopausal women.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2018-06-08T09:03:31-04:00August 20th, 2012|Menopausal Symptoms, New Research|1 Comment

Weight Loss and a Low-Fat Diet Help to Reduce Hot Flashes in Menopausal Women

Various studies have shown that women with a higher body mass index (BMI) or a higher percent of body fat have more frequent or more severe menopausal symptoms. In a recent study, researchers evaluated the impact of a low-fat diet on vasomotor symptoms in a group of 17,473 postmenopausal women between the ages of 50 and 79.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T12:19:50-04:00August 8th, 2012|Menopausal Symptoms|0 Comments

New Research from the CWMH: Surgically Induced Menopause No Worse than Natural in Terms of Risk for Depression, Anxiety

Each year about 600,000 women in the United States undergo a hysterectomy. Somewhere between 55% and 80% of these women who also have their ovaries removed along with the uterus—a procedure known as oophorectomy. After the removal of the ovaries, menopause follows immediately and is associated with a constellation of symptoms including hot flashes and insomnia, as well as depression and anxiety.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:02:53-04:00August 2nd, 2012|Menopausal Symptoms, New Research|0 Comments