Shirl girl

I am a 5 year breast cancer survivor who discontinued Tamoxifen 10 mg daily, after 5 years. I am an R.N. 80 years old and am now having hot flashes. I do not understand why discontinuing an anti-estrogen therapy would cause this. Can you explain?

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear Shirl girl, A hot flash is a momentary sensation of heat, which may be accompanied by a red, flushed face and sweating.  The cause of hot flashes is not known, but may be related to vascular instability.  Studies show that hot flashes vary among women.  Hot flashes may be precipitated by: psychological stress, hot weather, caffeine, spicy foods, or alcohol.  Rarely, women may not have hot flashes until they stop taking tamoxifen. In these women, tamoxifen develops an unusual estrogen-like ability to combat hot flashes.