Compare
Gabapentin for Hot Flashes vs Pollen Extract
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
- Gabapentin for Hot Flashes An off-label gabapentin prescription that may reduce hot flashes. Pregabalin is a related gabapentinoid but is not recommended for hot flashes.
- Pollen Extract A dietary supplement made from Swedish flower pollen that may reduce hot flashes, available over the counter.
| Method | Gabapentin for Hot Flashes An off-label gabapentin prescription that may reduce hot flashes. Pregabalin is a related gabapentinoid but is not recommended for hot flashes. | Pollen Extract A dietary supplement made from Swedish flower pollen that may reduce hot flashes, available over the counter. |
|---|---|---|
| Efficacy | Gabapentin for Hot Flashes Recommended Recommended by the Menopause Society for symptom relief. Trial average: 45% reduction in hot flash frequency, across the whole group (not a share of people). | Pollen Extract Not recommended Not recommended by the Menopause Society. |
| Cost | Gabapentin for Hot Flashes $9+ monthly Insurance: Varies | Pollen Extract $33–$58 monthly Insurance: Varies |
| Duration | Gabapentin for Hot Flashes Daily pill (ongoing) | Pollen Extract Daily supplement (ongoing) |
| Reversibility | Gabapentin for Hot Flashes Reversible | Pollen Extract Reversible |
| STI protection | Gabapentin for Hot Flashes No | Pollen Extract No |
| How it works | Gabapentin for Hot Flashes Gabapentin binds to the alpha-2-delta subunit of voltage-activated calcium channels; how this reduces hot flashes is not known. Pregabalin is structurally related to gabapentin, but NAMS 2023 does not recommend it for hot flashes. | Pollen Extract A 2020 review describes pollen extract as an SSRI-like therapy and reports that preclinical studies found no estrogenic effect. It is a dietary supplement, not an FDA-approved drug. |
| Prescription | Gabapentin for Hot Flashes Required Telehealth Prescription | Pollen Extract Not required Direct-to-Consumer (Physical) |
| Side effects | Gabapentin for Hot Flashes
| Pollen Extract None reported |
| Who shouldn't use this | Gabapentin for Hot Flashes
| Pollen Extract None reported |
Key differences
Menopause Society rating: Gabapentin for Hot Flashes, recommended; Pollen Extract, not recommended. How long it lasts: Gabapentin for Hot Flashes, daily pill (ongoing); Pollen Extract, daily supplement (ongoing). A prescription is needed for Gabapentin for Hot Flashes, not for Pollen Extract. Gabapentin for Hot Flashes: costs $9+ monthly. Pollen Extract: costs $33–$58 monthly.