There are pharmaceutical and lifestyle remedies to help minimize and address hot flashes. Every medication comes with potential side effects and risks; talk to your doctor about the benefits and potential pitfalls of the options available to you.
Note that many of these are used off-label, unless specified as U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for treating hot flashes.
Medication Options
- Hormone Therapy or Hormone Replacement Therapy Hormone therapy, also known as hormone replacement therapy or menopausal hormone therapy, is medication to treat hot flashes and other bothersome menopause symptoms, such as night sweats and vaginal dryness. For hot flashes, hormones are taken via pills, patches, sprays, gels, or a vaginal ring. Hormone therapy is FDA approved as a first line of treatment for hot flashes, with estimates of a 75 percent reduction in vasomotor symptoms. Systemic hormones include estrogens — either the same or similar to the estrogens produced naturally in the body — and progestogens, which include progesterone or a similar compound. Systemic hormones have other benefits, like boosting bone health. If you are having disruptive hot flashes, talk to your doctor or a menopause expert about hormone therapy and other options for treating VMS.
- Selective Serotonin-Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) For women who choose not to or cannot take hormones, nonhormonal drugs approved to treat depression, called SSRIs and SNRIs, have been shown to be effective in treating hot flashes in women who don’t have depression. The only SSRI the FDA has approved to treat hot flashes is paroxetine (Paxil, Brisdelle). Some of the side effects of these medications, such as weight gain and sleep disturbances, overlap with menopause symptoms, so it’s important to discuss these symptoms with your doctor.
- Oxybutynin (Ditropan XL, Oxytrol) This nonhormonal drug is used for overactive bladder, but it has also been shown to successfully decrease hot flashes. Several studies found that oxybutynin reduces hot flashes by 70 to 86 percent. However, oxybutynin is not considered a drug of choice for people over age 65 due to a possibility of cognitive impairment. So, your doctor may or may not recommend this drug based on your age, health history, risk factors, and other medications.
- Gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise) An anti-seizure medication, gabapentin is moderately effective in reducing hot flashes. Some of the side effects, such as weight gain and fatigue, may overlap with menopause symptoms. Because of this, your doctor might prescribe a low dose or recommend taking gabapentin in the evening. Other side effects include dizziness, difficulties with coordination, edema, lethargy, and drowsiness.
- Pregabalin (Lyrica) This is another anti-seizure medication that can be effective in reducing hot flashes. Some people may benefit from this medication, but because of potential side effects (drowsiness, dizziness, trouble focusing, and weight gain), it is important to discuss all available options with your doctor to find what is best for you.
- Neurokinin 3 Receptor Antagonists In May 2023, the FDA approved fezolinetant (Veozah), a nonhormonal oral compound used to treat moderate to severe VMS. This medication works by managing the cause of hot flashes in the brain’s signaling. Studies have shown a rapid and substantial reduction in VMS frequency and severity as well as improvements in health-related quality of life. Note that on September 12, 2024, the FDA issued a warning that fezolinetant could cause a rare but serious liver injury. Women experiencing symptoms such as new-onset fatigue, jaundice, nausea, and vomiting should stop taking the drug.
- Neurokinin 1 and Neurokinin 3 Receptor Antagonists In October 2025, the FDA approved elinzanetant (Lynkuet) to treat moderate to severe VMS. This medication also works by managing the brain’s chemical signaling to prevent hot flashes. It has minimal side effects.
Complementary and Alternative Remedies for Treating Hot Flashes
While many natural products, herbs, and dietary supplements claim to help with hot flashes, the evidence for their effectiveness is mixed, and long-term safety is unknown.
More research is needed to support their use for the treatment of hot flashes. There are fewer safety concerns with psychological treatment, dietary changes, and exercise approaches for menopause symptoms.
An older study published in the journal Menopause found that acupuncture, yoga, and health and wellness education classes demonstrated effectiveness in the reduction of hot flash frequency compared with controls.
Other potential nondrug options, according to Mayo Clinic, include:
Lifestyle changes such as these may help prevent hot flashes, and they may also aid with other unwelcome menopause symptoms, such as difficulty sleeping or mood issues.
Stellate ganglion blockade is another possible alternative therapy option. It’s an injection into the stellate ganglion nerves in the neck. Doctors often use it for pain management, but it can also decrease hot flashes.
Eating certain foods and avoiding others may help reduce hot flashes, but diet alone cannot stop or prevent VMS. Some data suggests that a low-fat, vegan diet with at least ½ cup of soy beans a day helps reduce hot flashes, but more research is needed to show efficacy.
Managing a Hot Flash in the Moment
Is there anything you can do to help yourself when a hot flash happens? Experts stress that planning and preparation will arm you to cope with a flash as it happens. If you wear layers, you can remove some to cool down.
Running cold water on your wrists may help relieve discomfort. If you carry a hand-held fan, you can use it to help cool off. See more tips and suggestions in the prevention section.
