Stellate ganglion blockade provides relief from menopausal hot flashes: a case report series

To investigate whether standard C6 stellate ganglion blockade (SGB) might provide relief from hot flashes associated with menopause.

Six women were referred for severe menopausal hot flashes and elected to undergo standard SGB (5 ml 0.375% Marcaine, Abbott Labs, Abbott Park, IL) to evaluate a novel intervention for hot flash relief. Hot flashes were assessed by self-reporting before and after stellate ganglion block.

Initial SGB (SGB1) was successful in all 6 subjects, as evidenced by a positive Horner's syndrome and anhydrosis. Successful SGB caused complete alleviation of hot flashes for times ranging from 2 to 5 weeks. Patients returned for follow-up SGB after mild hot flashes returned. A second SGB produced additional asymptomatic periods of relief ranging from 4 to 18 weeks. In each case, repeated block provided hot flash relief equal to or greater than that of the initial block. Two patients who submitted for a third SGB reported 15 and 48 weeks of relief.

Successful SGB appears to be related to relief of hot flashes. Repeat SGB results in efficacious multiple week relief of severe hot flashes associated with menopause.