Antidepressants To Treat 'Hot Flashes?'

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It's a possible alternative therapy for women who get "hot flashes" -- and it was discovered by a University of Minnesota researcher.

Because the most common treatment for menopausal women -- hormone therapy -- carries certain risks, Dr. Kristin Ensrud wanted to see if commonly-prescribed antidepressants could help.

They did -- not only in lessening the severity of "hot flashes" but also in alleviating another common problem associated with menopause.

"It was effective in reducing insomnia symptoms and improving sleep quality," said Dr. Ensrud.

A common commercial version of the antidepressants is the prescription drug Lexapro.

More than 200 women participated in the study.