Anti-depressants as treatment for hot flashes

For most of you, the treatment of menopausal hot flashes is best accomplished with the use of estrogen therapy.  But some of you will not be good candidates for estrogen. By that, I mean those of you with estrogen-dependent cancers like breast, ovarian and uterine cancer. Also, you are not a good estrogen candidate if you have had a history of blood clots or stroke.  The good news is that there is enough scientific evidence to support the use of some antidepressants, otherwise known as either SSRI’s or SNRI’s. While the FDA has not approved these antidepressant medications for the treatment of hot flashes, we use them in practice often, because they are safe and effective.  And since many menopausal women also experience mood symptoms including depression, the use of this class of medication is a great way to get these symptoms addressed efficiently.  Women are forever multitasking!

Tara Allmen, MD Credentials:
– Board Certified Gynecologist and Nationally Certified Menopause Practitioner
– New York City’s Leading Expert In Menopause
– President, North American Menopause Society Foundation
– Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
– New York City’s Top Gynecologist, 2015
– Five Star Rating From Doctor’s Choice Awards
– Five Star Rating From HealthGrades