
For many women, the hot flashes and night sweats from menopause can be quite uncomfortable. According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of hot flashes include a warm feeling spreading through the upper body and face, flushing of the face and neck, as well as sweating. Women can also have a rapid heart rate, pressure in her head, and blotchy skin on her face, neck, and upper chest. After the hot flash is over, the woman may have a chilled feeling. According to the Mayo Clinic, the frequency of a hot flash varies: some women may have multiple hot flashes a day, while other women may have only a couple a week. Usually, a hot flash lasts for about 30 minutes.
According to Hartford Hospital, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which uses estrogen, can alleviate the symptoms; however, hormone replacement therapy has many side effects. However, a study done at Eastern Virginia Medical School shows that an anti-depressant called desvenlafaxine can be an effective medication for treating hot flashes and night sweats.
The randomized trial had three test groups: a placebo, desvenlafaxine 100 mg, and desvenlafaxine 150 mg. Women who took the placebo had an average of 4.9 fewer hot flashes; women who took the 100 mg of desvenlafaxine had an average of 6.3 fewer hot flashes; and women who took the 150 mg of desvenlafaxine had an average of 7.0 fewer hot flashes. However, desvenlafaxine does have some side effects: loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, nausea, insomnia, and diarrhea.
1 comment:
good to know that antidpressants can help
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