Primary and review articles published in English were identified by a MEDLINE (1966-June 2003) search using the MeSH terms "hot flashes," "hot flushes," "menopause," and "serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

Hot flashes, or a feeling of sudden heat running through the body, are a common symptom of menopause. Menopause refers to the time when the menstrual cycle comes to an end permanently, and women ...