Natural Remedies for Hot Flashes. Do Mother Nature's Treatments Help Hot Flashes? Black Cohosh Actaea racemosa, Cimicifuga racemosa This herb has received quite a bit of scientific attention for its possible effects on hot flashes.

Studies of its effectiveness in reducing hot flashes have produced mixed results. However, some women report that it has helped them.

Recent research suggests that black cohosh does not act like estrogen, as once thought. This reduces concerns about its effect on hormone-sensitive tissue eg, uterus, breast. Black cohosh has had a good safety record over a number of years. There have been reports linking black cohosh to liver problems, and this connection continues to be studied.

Red Clover Trifolium pratense In five controlled studies, no consistent or conclusive evidence was found that red clover leaf extract reduces hot flashes.

As with black cohosh, however, some women claim that red clover has helped them. Studies report few side effects and no serious health problems with use.

But studies in animals have raised concerns that red clover might have harmful effects on hormone-sensitive tissue. Dong Quai Angelica sinensis Dong quai has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat gynecologic conditions for more than 1, years.

Yet only one randomized clinical study of dong quai has been conducted to determine its effects on hot flashes, and this botanical therapy was not found to be useful in reducing them.

Some experts on Chinese medicine point out that the preparation studied was not the same as they use in practice. Slight increases in your body's core temperature can trigger hot flashes. Dress in layers so that you can remove clothing when you feel warm. Open windows or use a fan or air conditioner.

Lower the room temperature, if you can. If you feel a hot flash coming on, sip a cold drink. Many women have turned to alternative medicine, including mind and body techniques and dietary supplements to help curb hot flashes.

There's a shortage of well-designed studies on complementary health practices for hot flashes, but research is progressing. A growing body of evidence suggests that certain techniques can help ease hot flashes, including:.

People often assume that "natural" products cause no harm. However, all supplements may have potentially harmful side effects, and supplements can also interact with medications you're taking for other medical conditions.

Always review what you're taking with your doctor. Plant estrogens. Asian women, who consume soy regularly, are less likely to report hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms than are women in other parts of the world. One reason might be related to the estrogen-like compounds in soy.

However, studies have generally found little or no benefit with plant estrogens, although research is ongoing to determine whether specific components of soy, such as genistein, help hot flashes.

Take a family member or friend with you, if possible, to help you remember the information you get. Bring along a notepad or device to jot down information you receive. On this page. Self care. Alternative medicine.

Preparing for your appointment. Hormone therapy Estrogen is the primary hormone used to reduce hot flashes. Antidepressants A low-dose form of paroxetine Brisdelle is the only nonhormone treatment for hot flashes approved by the U. Other antidepressants that have been used to treat hot flashes include: Venlafaxine Effexor XR Paroxetine Paxil, Pexeva Citalopram Celexa Escitalopram Lexapro These medications aren't as effective as hormone therapy for severe hot flashes, but they can be helpful to women who can't use hormones.

Other prescription medications Other medications that might offer relief for some women include: Gabapentin Neurontin, Gralise, others. Gabapentin is an anti-seizure medication that's moderately effective in reducing hot flashes.

Side effects can include drowsiness, dizziness, water retention in the limbs edema and fatigue. Pregabalin Lyrica. Pregabalin is another anti-seizure medication that can be effective in reducing hot flashes.

Side effects can include dizziness, drowsiness, difficulty concentrating and weight gain. Oxybutynin Ditropan XL, Oxytrol. Oxybutynin is a pill or patch most often used to treat urinary conditions like overactive bladder.

It may also help relieve hot flashes in some women. Side effects can include dry mouth, dry eyes, constipation, nausea and dizziness. Clonidine Catapres, Kapvay, others.

Clonidine, a pill or patch typically used to treat high blood pressure, might provide some relief from hot flashes. Side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation.

Fezolinetant Veozah. Veozah is a medicine for treating menopause hot flashes. It doesn't have any hormones. It works by blocking a pathway in the brain that helps to regulate body temperature. You take a pill once a day by mouth. Side effects include belly pain, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, back pain, hot flushes and elevated liver enzymes.

People with liver disease should not take this medicine. Nerve block procedure A procedure known as stellate ganglian block has shown promise for treating moderate to severe hot flashes, but more research is needed.

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You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Clinical trials. If your hot flashes are mild, try managing them with these lifestyle changes: Keep cool. Watch what you eat and drink. Hot and spicy foods, caffeinated beverages and alcohol can trigger hot flashes.

Learn to recognize your triggers and avoid them. Practice mind-body therapies. Although evidence is inconclusive, some women find relief from mild hot flashes through mind-body therapies. Examples include meditation; slow, deep breathing; stress management techniques; and guided imagery. Even if these approaches don't help your hot flashes, they might provide other benefits, such as easing sleep disturbances that tend to occur with menopause.

Don't smoke. Smoking is linked to increased hot flashes. By not smoking, you might reduce hot flashes, as well as your risk of many serious health conditions, such as heart disease, stroke and cancer.

Lose weight. If you're overweight or obese, losing weight might help ease your hot flashes. The only SSRI FDA has approved thus far for treating hot flashes is paroxetine 7. Other antidepressants, certain drugs used to treat high blood pressure, a medication for sleep, and gabapentin, a drug used to treat epilepsy and migraine, have shown some effectiveness.

Is it safe to take dietary supplements or herbal therapies for my menopause symptoms? No over-the-counter OTC dietary supplement or herbal therapy has been found to be effective on menopause symptoms. If you still want to try a dietary supplement for your hot flashes, you must continue only with the appropriate oversight of your healthcare provider.

Because normal FDA regulations for prescription or OTC drugs do not apply to dietary supplements, demonstrating safety is not required before a dietary supplement is put on the market. Although a number of manufacturers do employ rigorous quality-control measures, many products are not monitored for purity or levels of active ingredients.

In Canada, the term natural health product is used in place of dietary supplement. The Canadian Natural Health Products Regulations ensure that these products are safe, are of high quality, and actually do what they claim that they do.

Canadian regulations require that all natural health products have a product license before they can be sold, and they must be produced at a site that also has a license.

Supplements in the United States are not regulated in this fashion, and the buyer should be aware of this lack of regulation.

Products are typically not pulled from the market until after people have been harmed. Dietary supplements or herbal therapies can interact with prescription drugs, resulting in either increased or decreased effects of the drug, the supplement, or both.

Until clinical trials provide scientific evidence of the effectiveness and safety of any given supplement, it is always best to speak to your clinician before using any dietary supplements in the United States and to inform your physician if you are already taking them.

How can I find a menopause specialist? The North American Menopause Society maintains a search feature on this website for those women in the United States or Canada who are looking for an expert interested in helping them manage their health through menopause and beyond.

Healthcare providers who have passed a competency examination leading to the prestigious credential of NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner NCMP are noted in the displayed results. For Women Find a Menopause Practitioner What's an NCMP?

Menopause FAQs: Expert Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause Menopause FAQs: An Introduction to Menopause Menopause FAQs: Premature, Early, and Induced Menopause Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms Menopause FAQS: Hot Flashes Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause.

These articles are best for patients who want in-depth information and are comfortable with some medical jargon.

Patient education: Menopausal hormone therapy Beyond the Basics Patient education: Bone density testing Beyond the Basics Patient education: Osteoporosis prevention and treatment Beyond the Basics Patient education: Calcium and vitamin D for bone health Beyond the Basics Patient education: Vitamin D deficiency Beyond the Basics Patient education: Quitting smoking Beyond the Basics Patient education: Diet and health Beyond the Basics Patient education: High cholesterol and lipids Beyond the Basics Patient education: Depression treatment options for adults Beyond the Basics Patient education: Vaginal dryness Beyond the Basics.

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Professional level articles are best for people who are comfortable with a lot of medical terminology and who want to read the same materials their doctors are reading. Overview of androgen deficiency and therapy in females Genitourinary syndrome of menopause vulvovaginal atrophy : Clinical manifestations and diagnosis Estrogen and cognitive function Menopausal hot flashes Menopausal hormone therapy and cardiovascular risk Menopausal hormone therapy and the risk of breast cancer Menopausal hormone therapy in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis Menopausal hormone therapy: Benefits and risks Preparations for menopausal hormone therapy Treatment of menopausal symptoms with hormone therapy Genitourinary syndrome of menopause vulvovaginal atrophy : Treatment.

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Why UpToDate? Product Editorial Subscription Options Subscribe Sign in. View Topic Loading Font Size Small Normal Large. Patient education: Non-estrogen treatments for menopausal symptoms Beyond the Basics.

Formulary drug information for this topic. No drug references linked in this topic. Find in topic Formulary Print Share. Official reprint from UpToDate ® www. com © UpToDate, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Author: Charles L Loprinzi, MD Section Editors: Peter J Snyder, MD William F Crowley, Jr, MD Deputy Editor: Kathryn A Martin, MD.

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. Literature review current through: Jan This topic last updated: Oct 24, For those who do, options include: Antidepressants — Antidepressant medications are recommended as a first-line treatment for hot flashes in people who cannot take estrogen.

TREATING VAGINAL DRYNESS Low-dose vaginal estrogen is a very effective treatment for vaginal dryness or pain with intercourse due to menopause. Patient education: Menopause The Basics Beyond the Basics — Beyond the Basics patient education pieces are longer, more sophisticated, and more detailed.

Patient education: Menopausal hormone therapy Beyond the Basics Patient education: Bone density testing Beyond the Basics Patient education: Osteoporosis prevention and treatment Beyond the Basics Patient education: Calcium and vitamin D for bone health Beyond the Basics Patient education: Vitamin D deficiency Beyond the Basics Patient education: Quitting smoking Beyond the Basics Patient education: Diet and health Beyond the Basics Patient education: High cholesterol and lipids Beyond the Basics Patient education: Depression treatment options for adults Beyond the Basics Patient education: Vaginal dryness Beyond the Basics Professional level information — Professional level articles are designed to keep doctors and other health professionals up-to-date on the latest medical findings.

Overview of androgen deficiency and therapy in females Genitourinary syndrome of menopause vulvovaginal atrophy : Clinical manifestations and diagnosis Estrogen and cognitive function Menopausal hot flashes Menopausal hormone therapy and cardiovascular risk Menopausal hormone therapy and the risk of breast cancer Menopausal hormone therapy in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis Menopausal hormone therapy: Benefits and risks Preparations for menopausal hormone therapy Treatment of menopausal symptoms with hormone therapy Genitourinary syndrome of menopause vulvovaginal atrophy : Treatment The following organizations also provide reliable health information.

It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider's examination and assessment of a patient's specific and unique circumstances.

Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications.

This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. You may decide you don't need to change your lifestyle or investigate treatment options because your symptoms are mild.

But, if you are bothered by hot flashes, there are some steps you can take. Try to take note of what triggers your hot flashes and how much they bother you. This can help you make better decisions about managing your symptoms. You can also visit My Menoplan, an evidence-based tool developed by NIA-funded researchers, to identify treatment and coping strategies best suited for you.

Before considering medication, first try making changes to your lifestyle. If hot flashes keep you up at night , lower the temperature in your bedroom and try drinking small amounts of cold water before bed. Layer your bedding so it can be adjusted as needed and turn on a fan.

Here are some other lifestyle changes you can make:. If lifestyle changes are not enough to improve your symptoms, nonhormone options for managing hot flashes may work for you.

These may be a good choice if you are unable to take hormones for health reasons or if you are worried about the potential risks. The U. Food and Drug Administration FDA has approved the use of paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor SSRI antidepressant, to treat hot flashes.

Researchers are studying other antidepressants, which doctors may prescribe for off-label use. Women who use an antidepressant to help manage hot flashes generally take a lower dose than people who use the medication to treat depression.

As with any medication, talk with your doctor about whether this is the right medication for you and how you might manage any possible side effects. Some women may choose to take hormones to treat their hot flashes or night sweats.

A hormone is a chemical substance made by an organ like the thyroid gland or ovary. Lack of sleep can in turn impact energy levels and productivity, focus, personal relationships and sexual activity.

Hot flashes generally can occur over seven to 10 years, and two to four years longer for Black and Latino individuals. Hot flashes are related to fluctuating hormones that happen before, during and after menopause. Research suggests that dropping estrogen can change how the brain perceives temperature.

Risk factors include obesity, smoking and race. Triggers for hot flashes include anxiety or mood changes, eating spicy foods and drinking alcohol or caffeinated drinks. Because obesity is a risk factor for hot flashes, maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can play a powerful role in decreasing them.

Because anxiety and mood changes may also trigger hot flashes, practicing mindfulness meditation can also be good ways to manage them. Dressing in light layers that can be quickly removed and carrying a portable fan are good ways to be prepared for the sudden onset of a hot flash.

Those who experience night sweats can lower their bedroom temperature and put a fan next to the bed. A cool drink of water before sleep may also help. Read: Hormone Replacement Therapy: Is It Right For You?

Until recently, Brisdelle paroxetine was the only FDA-approved non-hormonal medication to treat hot flashes, but the agency approved a second, Veozah fezolinetant in May. Both are taken orally. Veozah is the first neurokinin 3 NK3 receptor antagonist approved by the FDA to treat hot flashes from menopause.

Antidepressants, such as Paxil paroxetine , Celexa citalopram , Lexapro escitalopram and Effexor venlafaxine , can be good non-hormonal treatment alternatives. Other medications, such as gabapentin sold under various brand names and Catapres clonidine , have also been known to work.

Cedars-Sinai Blog Why Hot Flashes Occur and How to Treat Them.