Compare
Clinical Hypnosis vs Weight Loss
A side-by-side comparison of two menopause relief methods — efficacy, cost, how they work, and who shouldn't use them.
Last verified Updated
Side-by-side comparison
- Clinical Hypnosis A therapist-guided technique using relaxation, mental imagery, and suggestion to reduce hot flash frequency and severity.
- Weight Loss Losing excess weight through diet and exercise may reduce hot flashes, especially for women earlier in the menopause transition.
| Method | Clinical Hypnosis A therapist-guided technique using relaxation, mental imagery, and suggestion to reduce hot flash frequency and severity. | Weight Loss Losing excess weight through diet and exercise may reduce hot flashes, especially for women earlier in the menopause transition. |
|---|---|---|
| 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). | Weight Loss Recommended (limited evidence) Recommended with limited evidence by the Menopause Society. |
| Cost | Clinical Hypnosis Contact provider Insurance: Varies | Weight Loss $0+ Insurance: Usually |
| Duration | Clinical Hypnosis 5 weekly sessions (about 45 minutes each) | Weight Loss Ongoing lifestyle change |
| Reversibility | Clinical Hypnosis Reversible | Weight Loss Reversible |
| STI protection | Clinical Hypnosis No | Weight Loss 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. | Weight Loss Women with obesity are more likely to report frequent and severe hot flashes than women of normal weight, and body fat appears to act as a risk factor for hot flashes earlier in the menopause transition. Losing weight through behavioral changes in diet and exercise may reduce hot flashes for women who are overweight or obese. |
| Prescription | Clinical Hypnosis Not required Professional Service | Weight Loss Not required Self-Directed |
| Side effects | Clinical Hypnosis
| Weight Loss None reported |
| Who shouldn't use this | Clinical Hypnosis None reported | Weight Loss
|
Key differences
Menopause Society rating: Clinical Hypnosis, recommended; Weight Loss, recommended (limited evidence). How long it lasts: Clinical Hypnosis, 5 weekly sessions (about 45 minutes each); Weight Loss, ongoing lifestyle change. Clinical Hypnosis: Contact provider. Weight Loss: costs $0+.