I think we are doing a good job for women with breast cancer. Hot Flashes Hot flashes continue to be a major problem for women either in natural menopause or the menopause induced by chemotherapy or tamoxifen for breast cancer. The use of estrogens in these women is quite controversial. The prevailing dogma is that post-breast cancer estrogen use is contraindicated because of the fear of reactivation or stimulation of the breast cancer. Though there is little data to support this contention, we cannot advocate the use of estrogens until better data becomes available.
Side effects are usually mild and consist of mild dryness of the mouth and sedation.
Taking the medicine at bedtime can lessen these side effects. Symptomatic lowering of the blood pressure in normotensive women is rare. These substances are thought to be central contributors to the vasomotor instability that causes hot flashes. Women taking the study drug experienced a significant reduction in hot flashes compared with placebo. Mild nausea and mouth dryness were reported by some women.