Low-dose estradiol and venlafaxine (Effexor) are both effective
treatments for vasomotor symptoms in menopausal women.

Some 340 peri- or postmenopausal women with bothersome vasomotor
symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats) were randomized to receive low-
dose estradiol (0.5 mg/day), low-dose venlafaxine or placebo daily for
8 weeks.

Symptom frequency was reduced significantly more with estradiol (by
53%) and with venlafaxine (48%) than with placebo (29%). Both active
treatments were well tolerated, although estradiol was more often
associated with abnormal vaginal bleeding and venlafaxine with blood
pressure increases.

JAMA Internal Medicine article