Weight Loss Can Reduce Hot Flashes

The Women’s Health Initiative showed that synthetic estrogens and progestins, which were often prescribed for hot flashes, increase the risk of breast cancer and vascular disease.  Derivatives of the anti-depressant drug, Paxil, reduce the symptoms but can cause suicidal ideation and other side effects.  Bio-identical hormones are much safer than synthetic ones, but they also have not been studied as extensively.  Weight loss of an average of 19# in 40 women with severe hot flashes provided significant relief.  An anecdotal report implied that women who have hot flashes are much less likely to develop breast cancer.  So if they are not too bad, it might be best to put up with them.

 See Rebecca Thurston of the University of Pittsburgh.  Contact Campbell North at cnorth@post-gazette.com.

Celebration of HealthAssociation website