Every year thousands of women get hot flashes as they near menopause. The intense sweating can be a nuisance and embarrassing. But did you know that men can get hot flashes too? The problem is very common among men who've had treatment for prostate cancer. But a medication studied at Mayo Clinic is helping many men find relief.

A couple of years ago, Robert Bulmer had radiation therapy for prostate cancer. And because prostate cancer is sometimes fueled by testosterone, he also took medication to block production of that male hormone.

"That week is when it became apparent. When I noticed the hot flashes, I'd break out in a sweat that lasted five minutes,” Bulmer said.

A man? Having hot flashes?

"I did not realize there was a thing called male hot flashes," Bulmer said.
There sure is. Male hot flashes are a reality for many men going through treatment for prostate cancer says Dr. Charles Loprinzi.

"Women get hot flashes around the time of menopause because their estrogen levels dramatically drop. The same thing happens to men when their testosterone levels dramatically drop," Loprinzi said.

In hopes of finding relief from the hot flashes, Robert enrolled in a Mayo Clinic study that tested a medication called gabapenten to see if it reduces hot flashes in men. It's already been proven to reduce hot flashes moderately in women. Results showed it worked -- the drug reduces male hot flashes by about 50%.

"The severity and duration of the hot flashes diminished," Loprinzi said.

This medication is not made form hormones. And Dr. Loprinzi says that's important because while hormone therapy can stop hot flashes very well, it may also cause the cancer to grow. Gabapenten does not promote cancer growth. Robert says he still has mild hot flashes now and then. But he is grateful for a medication that is safe and that works.

This medication is also used in the treatment of seizures and sometimes for pain control.