Acupuncture beats drug to treat hot flushes

Acupuncture works as well as a drug commonly used to combat hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms that can accompany breast cancer treatment, and its benefits last longer, without bad side effects, researchers report.

They tested acupuncture against the Effexor, for hot flushes in breast cancer patients. Acupuncture was just as effective as Effexor, also called venlafaxine, in managing symptoms including hot flushes and night sweats, according to research led by Dr Eleanor Walker of Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, USA. There were no bad side effects with acupuncture, and women reported increased energy, overall sense of well-being and sexual desire, the researchers said (source: Reuters, Dose).