Prozac & Menopause

Is Prozac really effective in relieving some menopause symptoms? Hot flushes and depression are two of the most common symptoms of menopause. And, thus, over the years many types of medication have become widely available in almost all countries to cease such menopause symptoms. And one of them is Prozac.

Prozac is originally used for the treatment of depression that consists of suicidal thoughts, depressed mood, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt, low energy, low self-esteem, changes in appetite or sleep, loss of interest in usual activities, decreased sex drive, extreme fatigue, slowed thinking and decreased ability to concentrate.

Consequently, it is also found out that it can also relieve menopause symptoms such as hot flushes. Many people are aware of what depression is and Prozac as a possible cure for depression, but many still are unaware of how efficient Prozac is for easing hot flashes and what actually hot flashes are.

What are Hot Flashes?

Hot flashes includes:

A chilled feeling as the hot flash subsides
A rapid heartbeat
A feeling of mild warmth to intense heat spreading through your upper body and face
A flushed appearance with red, blotchy skin on your face, neck and upper chest
Perspiration, mostly on the upper body

Hot flashes are very common during perimenopause (the period of time leading up to menopause) and tend to peak during the first couple of years after menstrual periods have finally stopped. For some women, hot flashes last up to a couple of years. But for others, hot flashes may continue for several years or for an indefinite period of time.

Prozac: In the Treatment of Hot Flashes

Low amounts of some antidepressants may reduce hot flashes. Antidepressants from selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) which include Effexor, Paxil, Prozac, Celexa and others have been found to mitigate hot flashes in some clinical testing.

In fact, even before, physicians have subjective evidence that antidepressants help improve the sudden alterations in temperature experienced by women in
menopause, and some doctors even prescribe the drugs for that purpose.

Many doctors are now considering antidepressant such as Prozac for the treatment of hot flashes and for patients who can’t or choose not to take hormone therapy otherwise. However, this medication aren’t as effective as hormone therapy for severe hot flashes and may cause unhelpful side effects, such as dizziness, weight gain, nausea or sexual dysfunction.

Hence, seeking advice from your doctor about whether the benefits compensate the possible side effects on you would still the best thing to do!