Zoloft for Menopause

Can women really apply Zoloft for menopause?

Over the years, medical researchers have conducted a few studies regarding Zoloft and hot flashes.

In 2002, researchers began studying antidepressants like Zoloft and hot flashes, around the same time that the Women’s Health Initiative released some conclusions about the long-term health risks associated with hormone replacement therapy.

However, even medical researchers and scientists are unable to explain why Zoloft may be effective, or even why it should be considered for use. Likely they were prescribed to women who were suffering from depression, which most of the time accompanies menopause.

These women may have reported a decrease in hot flashes, thus making doctors to propose that Zoloft might be helpful for controlling hot flashes.

Was Zoloft clinically approved?

Zoloft is an antidepressant that belongs to a group of drugs known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). It is in fact approved by the FDA to treat depression and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Hence, it is not approved by the FDA to treat hot flashes, other symptoms related to menopause, nor are they approved to treat PMS, but doctors, however, often recommend them for such purposes.

But even though Zoloft is not approved by the FDA to alleviate hot flashes, both the North American Menopause Society and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) suggested that women with moderate to severe menopause related to hot flashes should deem an SSRI like Zoloft, if they cannot or choose not to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Was there any proof that Zoloft was really effective?

In the observation of the use of Zoloft for hot flashes, there was actually no major drop in severity, but in their ultimate statement, the researchers say that Zoloft reduced the number of hot flashes and improved the hot flash score comparative to that of placebo and may be a good enough substitute cure for women experiencing hot flashes.

Such researchers believe that the 11% decrease in the hot flash score would already represent an efficient alternative treatment for menopausal related symptoms such as hot flashes. Zoloft side effects Although found helpful by some doctors to ease hot flashes, there are still other precautions that they usually remind women while using Zoloft.

As such drug might cause some unwanted side effects which include weakness, sleep disorders, tremors, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, decreased sex drive and inability to achieve orgasm. It can also persuade mood swings.

Also, one study has shown that it increased the threat of suicide in older people, as it does in pre-teens and teens. Thus, the FDA has declared a warning that anyone who is currently using Zoloft has a greater possibility of having suicidal thoughts, regardless of the age and for whatever reasons.

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