Sandhya Pruthi, MD, associate professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, explains what she learned from her randomized controlled trial, NCCTG study N08C7, examining the use of flaxseed to control hot flashes which failed to show significant improvement overall.

Even though the trial did not meet show significant improvement in hot flashes there was still much to be learned about the use of complimentary therapies. The need to ask patients which and how many complimentary therapies they are taking individually or in combination became increasingly evident over the course of the trial. Although the study performed well in pilot trials it failed to meet the primary endpoint in a placebo controlled trial; further emphasizing the need to rule out the placebo effect that appears often in complimentary therapies.

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Dr. Sandhya Pruthi from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota on What She Learned From the Flaxseed Trial

Dr. Pruthi on What She Learned From the Flaxseed Trial

Sandhya Pruthi, MD, associate professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, discusses other options to help control hot flashes such as antidepressants, black cohosh, vitamin E, and soy products. She describes that the number of options available are running out.

Pruthi expresses her surprise when the results from her randomized controlled trial, NCCTG study N08C7, examining the use of flaxseed to control hot flashes failed to show a significant improvement.

Dr. Sandya Pruthi from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota Examines the Options Available for Hot Flashes after the failure of flaxseed

Dr. Pruthi Examines Options Available for Hot Flashes

Sandhya Pruthi, MD, associate professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, explains that the reduction in hot flashes was around 33% in both the placebo and flaxseed arms of her randomized controlled trial, NCCTG study N08C7, evaluating flaxseed for hot flashes.

The trial hoped to improve the quality of life for women suffering from hot flashes that can occur during the menopause transition or following breast cancer treatment. Unfortunately the trial failed to meet its primary endpoints.

Dr. Sandhya Pruthi from the Mayo Clinic Explains the Flaxseed for Hot Flashes Trial Results

Sandhya Pruthi, MD

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Dr. Pruthi on What She Learned From the Flaxseed Trial

Dr. Pruthi Examines Options Available for Hot Flashes

Dr. Pruthi on the Flaxseed for Hot Flashes Trial Results