A new study finds acupuncture may help women who are being treated for breast cancer.

Hormone therapy reduces the odds that breast cancer will return, but it also triggers unpleasant menopause symptoms for many women.

Now new research shows that acupuncture may be even more effective than medication for treating these debilitating side effects.

Night sweats, insomnia, hot flashes... these are just some of the unpleasant side effects women face when they are taking hormone therapy to treat breast cancer.

Depriving the body of hormones lowers the odds that breast cancer will return, but it also mimics the symptoms of menopause.

However, a new study from Henry Ford Hospital finds that acupuncture may be a natural remedy for these unwanted side effects.

Researchers compared 12 weeks of acupuncture to 12 weeks of treatment with the antidepressant Effexor in women who were having frequent hot flashes as a result of breast cancer hormone therapy.

Results showed that acupuncture and Effexor both relieved the night sweats and hot flashes.

But women taking Effexor complained of added side effects from the drug, including dry mouth, headache and nausea.

Those undergoing acupuncture had NO side effects - instead they reported increased well being, and in some cases, an improved sex life.

In addition, the benefits from acupuncture seemed more long lasting - remaining even after women stopped their acupuncture sessions.

Researchers presented the study at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology's 50th Annual Meeting in Boston.