For the thousands of women who have breast cancer and are in the throes of perimenopause/menopause there are few therapies to relieve hot flashes.

Women with breast cancer
are refused any form of estrogen,
and recently many doctors have steered their patients away from using soy and soy products because, like estrogen, they fear that this will increase their chances of getting breast cancer again.

The problem is:
there has been no acceptable product or medication for these women to take to decrease hot flashes.

Until now.

Non-estrogen therapy for HotFlashes

Dr. Charles Loprinzi
the head of oncology for the Mayo Clinic has just completed a study which has shown that taking low doses of antidepressants, specifically Effexor (at the 75 milligram dose) will decrease the amount of hot flashes by 60 %.

Dr. Loprinzi conducted the study with 229 women; most of who have had breast cancer.   Since hot flashes tend to be an especially bad problem after breast cancer because cancer medicines can cause hot flashes, the study's results could potentially change the lives of thousands of women.

In the study, Loprinzi tested three doses of Effexor and found that one -half the standard dose, 75 milligrams, used to treated depression  though none of these women had depression) was most effective in cutting down  the hot flashes. He published his findings at the annual scientific meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Loprinzi has found Effexor to be the best non-hormonal therapy for women with hot flashes and breast cancer.  Not only did the participants in the study have less flashes, but they also had a better sense of well-being and sleep better.

This discovery has given women with breast cancer an option that may help them decrease their hot flashes and give back their lives.

Breast Cancer Facts
separating fact from fiction
by Sue Spataro, RN, BSN
There is so much in the media that scares the living life out of us. Breast  cancer is one topic that manages to catch all of our attention. The media report all the bad news and statistics but neglect to tell us what they really mean.

Meet the Author:
Dr. Susan Love
author of: "Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book" & "Dr. Susan Love's Hormone Book"
hosted by Sue Spataro, RN, BSN
see the interview
She is an author, teacher, surgeon, researcher, activist and, yes, flasher. As Susan says, " I'm 51 and flashing!" She has dedicated her life to eradicating breast cancer and educating patients on women's health issues. Dr. Love discusses, the proper role of HRT for perimenopause and menopause, the risk of estrogen in breast cancer survivors, the use of soy in perimenopause/menopause, and much more as well as commentary from other authors to give you the best information to help you make intelligent decisions about these important issues.

Interview with author
Linda Ojeda
more Healthy Living Books

As seen on Oprah...

Life strategies
Relationship Rescue
Weight loss books
FREE Healthy Cooking Recipes
FREE Fit 'n Trim Support

click here to get a FREE newsletter & join our health, education, craft, cooking & other support groups

A Woman's Guide to Natural Hormones
by Christine Conrad

Provides women of all ages a comprehensive guide to understanding natural hormones. Discusses how they work in the body to which ones should be used. Topics include: risk of breast cancer, midlife weight gain, synthetic HRT drugs, and more.