The best remedies for treatment-induced hot flashes and night sweats depend on several factors.
- Why menopause occurred
- Your overall health status
- Whether certain therapies are safe for you
Your gynecologist can help you weigh the benefits and risks of different approaches and create a treatment plan based on your individual needs.
Hormone Therapy
“For someone who was just diagnosed with breast cancer and is placed on chemotherapy, estrogen is probably not going to be something to consider,” says Dweck. “But for someone who, for example, has had both ovaries removed for a benign reason, estrogen given at the time of surgery may be all that’s needed to help prevent and manage symptoms.”
Nonhormonal Medications
For people who cannot — or choose not to — take hormone therapy, several nonhormonal options may help reduce hot flashes and night sweats.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Treatment doesn’t always have to involve medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach that can help people manage the physical and emotional effects of VMS.
“In the right hands with the right therapist, CBT is fantastic for vasomotor symptoms,” says Dweck.
