When Hot Flashes Require Medical Attention

Main Category: Menopause
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 10 Sep 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Nearly one third of all American women are between the ages of 40 and 60, which means more than 37 million women are most likely in the midst of the menopause transition. Three out of four women transitioning into this period experience hot flashes, characterized by a feeling of mild warmth, a flushed appearance with red blotchy skin, rapid heartbeat, perspiration or a chilled feeling.

Women may experience hot flashes for a couple or several years. There is a range of severity and frequency in hot flashes. Some women may just feel a little warmer than usual on occasion, or could experience several uncomfortable episodes throughout the day and night. Night sweats can wake some women from a sound sleep, creating lack of rest.

"If the hot flashes are severe and interrupting your life and you are not responding to common remedies or lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise, then perhaps it is time to discuss with your physician prescription options such as low-dose estrogen therapies," says Dr. James Simon, Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the George Washington University and President and Medical Director for his private practice, James A. Simon, MD, PC and Women's Health & Research Consultants, both located in Washington, D.C.

Low-dose estrogen therapies have become a growing trend in medical publications, and in fact, many newspapers and magazines now encourage their use. The trend follows the recommendations of many experts in the fields of gynecology and estrogen therapy, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

"Most physicians recommend that estrogen should be prescribed at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest amount of time to manage a patient's symptoms," says Dr Simon.

One treatment in particular is estradiol gel). External link" target="_blank">Elestrin™. a low-dose, prescription-only transdermal estradiol gel indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe hot flashes associated with menopause. The therapy is available by prescription only and is a fast-drying, clear, colorless gel that is applied to the upper arm or shoulder. It contains 17ß estradiol, an estrogen that is identical to the estrogen produced by a woman's own body. Elestrin has been proven in clinical studies to significantly reduce the number and severity of hot flashes.

It should be noted that low-dose estrogen therapies should not be used by women who have unusual vaginal bleeding or currently have or have had certain cancers, including breast or uterus cancer or had a stroke or heart attack in the last year. The therapy also is not recommended for women with blood clots or who have had liver problems in the past.

"It is important to reveal your medical history to your doctor and continue to update them on your progress if you are on low-dose estrogen," advises Dr. Simon.

For more information, please log on to http://www.elestrin.com. Elestrin is an approved product of BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: BPAX)

Elestrin