A 51-year-old woman reluctant to start hormone therapy for hot flashes; which potential solution should the nurse discuss?

• A. Sodium restriction
• B. Adopting a vegan diet
• C. Massage therapy
• D. Vitamin supplements

Answer: (D)

When hot flashes are troubling and hormone therapy is not an option, exploring nonhormonal approaches to relieve vasomotor symptoms becomes important. Vitamin supplements can be discussed because some women report modest relief from hot flashes with vitamin E. The idea is to offer a low-risk option that patients can consider alongside other lifestyle strategies, while keeping expectations realistic since the evidence is variable and benefits are often modest.

Sodium restriction, vegan diets, and massage therapy don’t have strong, consistent evidence for reducing hot flashes specifically. They may have other health benefits or assist with overall well-being, sleep, or stress, but they aren’t reliably effective for vasomotor symptoms.

If considering vitamin E, keep doses within recommended ranges and review any potential interactions or risks with the patient’s other medications or conditions, then decide together on whether to trial this approach.