Clover, A., & Ratsey, D. (2002). Homeopathic treatment of hot flushes: A pilot study. Homeopathy, 91, 75–79.

The study intended to evaluate the efficacy of homeopathy in managing menopausal symptoms.

Six homeopathic medications were  “most prescribed”: Amyl nitrosum, Calcium carbonate, Lachesis, Natrum mur, Pulsitilla, and Sepia.

Thirty-one (31) participants completed the initial consultation and one follow-up visit. Three groups of subjects were included:

1. Menopausal symptoms/no cancer history (n = 11)
2. Menopausal symptoms/breast cancer/no recent tamoxifen (n = 7)
3. Menopausal symptoms/breast cancer/taking tamoxifen (n = 13)

• Inclusion criteria: All women seen in an outpatient homeopathic clinic in Glasgow, Scotland.
• Exclusion criteria: None

The study was an uncontrolled, pilot outcome study of homeopathic treatment of hot flashes, stratified for breast cancer (yes versus no) and tamoxifen use (yes versus no).

Questionnaires assessing frequency and severity of hot flushes and changes in conventional medications that might influence hot flushes were completed at initial consultation and at follow-up visits.

The number of participants that reported improvement in hot flush frequency and severity were as follows: Group 1: 8 (73%), 8 (73%) Group 2: 6 (86%), 6 (86%) Group 3: 10 (77%), 10 (77%). There was a “clinical impression of useful benefit.\"

Study limitations included small sample size (31 participants), failure to indicate age of participants or cause of menopausal symptoms, use of unvalidated questionnaire,i nconsistent  follow-up, no descriptions of  homeopathic medications.