Just Say No to Drugs

By Nora Simmons

And yes to acupuncture. If you experience hot flashes as a result of taking Tamoxifen or Arimidex, two anti-estrogen meds used in breast cancer treatment, get ready for some good news. Acupuncture can relieve your hot flashes as well as drugs, without all the side effects. Conventional docs like to prescribe the antidepressant venlafaxine (Effexor) to relieve these drug-induced hot flashes, but many women choose not to go that route because the drug can cause unpleasant side effects like nausea, decreased libido, and fatigue. But a new study presented at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology’s 50th Annual Meeting in Boston found that a 12-week course of acupuncture reduced hot flashes as effectively as venlafaxine, and with longer-lasting results. Best part: The only side effects included increased energy, clarity of thought, sexual desire, and an overall sense of well-being.
—Nora Simmons

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