It was a horrible drug to get on and even bigger bugger to get off. HOWEVER, it helped with the
mood swings. Cannot say it did much for the flashing... a major side effect is SWEATING. So instead of flashing, it was a constant heat. I've been off for about a year, the hot flashes have subsided to rare occassions. One bad side-effect of Effexor is "lack of emotion". Seriously, I had gone from crying/mad/happy to nothing.