There are numerous treatment options for menopause-related hot flashes, from pharmaceutical drugs, to alternative therapies and exercise.
Hormones might not be safe for everyone, and some supplements may not be safe or effective.

Since supplements are not widely tested or regulated by the FDA, it is more difficult to determine their effectiveness.

Alternative therapies, such as black cohosh or Chinese herbs are widely used, and some have been shown to have a positive placebo effect. However, researchers have shown that using black cohosh, for example, is not effective.

Other pharmaceutical drugs, such as Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) have been found to significantly reduce hot flashes in women with menopause, though these anti-depression drugs have not been approved by the FDA for treatment of menopause symptoms

(Drugs such as fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxitene (Paxil) and venlafaxine (Effexor) have all been found to help relieve menopause symptoms.

Several studies have shown that women who exercise regularly have fewer hot flashes, likely due to increased endorphin production.

Source: ABC News/KGO (1/3/07)