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Clinical Hypnosis vs SSRIs for Hot Flashes
A side-by-side comparison of two menopause relief methods — efficacy, cost, how they work, and who shouldn't use them.
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Side-by-side comparison
- Clinical Hypnosis A therapist-guided technique using relaxation, mental imagery, and suggestion to reduce hot flash frequency and severity.
- SSRIs for Hot Flashes A low-dose SSRI (paroxetine 7.5 mg) approved by the FDA for moderate-to-severe hot flashes.
| Method | Clinical Hypnosis A therapist-guided technique using relaxation, mental imagery, and suggestion to reduce hot flash frequency and severity. | SSRIs for Hot Flashes A low-dose SSRI (paroxetine 7.5 mg) approved by the FDA for moderate-to-severe hot flashes. |
|---|---|---|
| Efficacy | Clinical Hypnosis Recommended Recommended by the Menopause Society for symptom relief. Trial average: 80% reduction in hot flash score, across the whole group (not a share of people). | SSRIs for Hot Flashes Recommended Recommended by the Menopause Society for symptom relief. |
| Cost | Clinical Hypnosis Contact provider Insurance: Varies | SSRIs for Hot Flashes $69–$200 monthly Insurance: Varies |
| Duration | Clinical Hypnosis 5 weekly sessions (about 45 minutes each) | SSRIs for Hot Flashes Daily pill (ongoing) |
| Reversibility | Clinical Hypnosis Reversible | SSRIs for Hot Flashes Reversible |
| STI protection | Clinical Hypnosis No | SSRIs for Hot Flashes No |
| How it works | Clinical Hypnosis Clinical hypnosis uses a deeply relaxed state, mental imagery, and suggestion, such as imagery of coolness, to reduce hot flashes. The exact mechanism is unknown; one hypothesis is that regular practice improves parasympathetic tone, part of the autonomic nervous system. | SSRIs for Hot Flashes Low-dose paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that blocks the reuptake of serotonin. How it reduces hot flash frequency and severity is not known. |
| Prescription | Clinical Hypnosis Not required Professional Service | SSRIs for Hot Flashes Required Telehealth Prescription |
| Side effects | Clinical Hypnosis
| SSRIs for Hot Flashes
|
| Who shouldn't use this | Clinical Hypnosis None reported | SSRIs for Hot Flashes
|
Key differences
The Menopause Society rates both recommended. How long it lasts: Clinical Hypnosis, 5 weekly sessions (about 45 minutes each); SSRIs for Hot Flashes, daily pill (ongoing). A prescription is needed for SSRIs for Hot Flashes, not for Clinical Hypnosis. Clinical Hypnosis: Contact provider. SSRIs for Hot Flashes: costs $69–$200 monthly.