Medroxyprogesterone Compared With Venlafaxine in Treating Hot Flashes in Women

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * History of breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ, or lobular carcinoma in situ (currently without evidence of malignant disease) OR * Concerns about taking estrogen for fear of breast cancer * Bothersome hot flashes, defined as occurrence at least 14 times per week and of sufficient severity as to make patient desire therapeutic intervention * Presence of hot flashes for at least 1 month * Hormone receptor status: PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Sex: * Female Performance status: * ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy: * At least 6 months Cardiovascular: * No prior thromboembolic disease * No uncontrolled hypertension (persistent diastolic blood pressure greater than 95 mm Hg and/or systolic blood pressure greater than 160 mm Hg) Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Chemotherapy: * More than 4 weeks since prior antineoplastic chemotherapy * No concurrent antineoplastic chemotherapy unless clinically appropriate Endocrine therapy: * More than 4 weeks since prior androgen or estrogen therapy * More than 3 months since prior progesterone as part of hormone replacement therapy * At least 1 year since any other progesterone therapy (including megestrol) * No concurrent androgen, estrogen, or progestational agents unless clinically appropriate * Concurrent tamoxifen, raloxifene, or aromatase inhibitors are allowed if started more than 4 weeks ago and continuation for more than 5 weeks is planned Other: * More than 2 weeks since prior agents for treatment of hot flashes (e.g., clonidine, Bellergal-S, or vitamin E of more than 400 mg per day) * More than 1 year since prior antidepressants (including Hypericum perforatum \[St John's Wort\]) * No other concurrent antidepressants or monoamine oxidase inhibitors * No other concurrent agents for treatment of hot flashes (e.g. clonidine, Bellergal-S, or vitamin E of more than 400 mg per day)