Options for Hot Flashes

1. Behavioral interventions

Wear cotton clothing, use cotton sheets. Avoid wool, synthetics, silk. Avoid turtlenecks. Stick to open-neck shirts. Avoid coffee, alcohol, tobacco, diet pills, spicy foods, and stress! Sip cool drinks or use ice packs. Eliminate hot baths, hot showers or sauna. Lower the thermostat.

2. Acupuncture, yoga, meditation, massage, hypnosis, biofeedback

3. Exercise, exercise, exercise!

4. Other Medications

Low doses of antidepressants such as Effexor or Paxil have been effective in reducing hot flashes. Clonidine, a drug normally used to treat hypertension, can sometimes help relieve hot flashes. However, it may lower normal blood pressure.