Hot Flashes: It's not cool to be hot

Other names for Hot flashes: hot flushes (refers to the redness that creeps up on the neck and face), night sweats (often accompanied by perspiration), vasomotor symptoms (medical term). Research has shown that 35 to 80 % of women will experience this symptom of varying intensities and durations.

Hot flashes are just one of the signs of menopause.

What is a hot flash?

The chemical changes in the brain affect your thermostat (hypothalmus gland) which causes the release of hormones that lower your body's core temperature set point. Your body reacts by a) dilating you blood vessels in your skin and b) making you sweat.

Most women experience a hot flash in the upper chest and face, but there are always exceptions.

You are unique

While these flashes vary from woman to woman, they are usually fairly consistent and unique to each woman. In other words, for example, while one woman may consistently experience her flashes at night, another will typically experience hers after drinking alcohol.

One woman on my forum talks about her experience with hot flashes: "I am nominating myself as the absolute champion of hot flashes/sweats which occur about every 45 minutes 24/7 and have been happening for nearly 10 years. I am 56 yrs."

On average, women experience them for less than four years, but some women still have them in their 70’s and 80’s-poor things.

There are certain proven factors that increase the frequency, severity and/or duration of the hot flashes:

• A high BMI (body mass index) of 27 or higher.
• A history of premenstrual complaints. If you have had to deal with difficult periods your entire life, the bad news is that you are more likely to have a difficult menopause as well. That’s sad, but there’s no way to sugar coat that one.
• Warm or hot environment.
• Cigarette smoking .
• Stress.
• Low socioeconomic status. I suppose this is related to poorer diet , more stress, and having fewer options. Low socioeconomic people show a higher rate of all mental and physical diseases. Life really is unfair, isn’t it?
• Less physical activity and fitness. .
• Removal of both ovaries. Unfortunately these women will experience more intense and more bothersome symptoms. Many physicians recommend these women go on Hormone Replacement Therapy to alleviate some of the agony. There are newer and safer options out there than there used to be. The good news is that over time, these women will have the same degree of symptoms as other women experiencing a natural menopause.

Menopause Hormone Replacement Therapy for the Right Reasons

Hormone replacement therapy is still the most effective proven form of treatment for those with severe life-altering symptoms. This is not to say I am recommending it. Most doctors will say if the HRT is in the right dose, at the right time, for the right symptom, for the right woman, and for the shortest period of time possible, then it's still recommended. What is “right”? That’s what you’ll need to talk with your family physician about. If your symptoms are mild to moderate and quite tolerable, then you may want to consider other options.

If you have excessive bleeding , you will need to see your doctor immediately.

Non-hormonal options

• Reducing your body temperature by taking off layers of clothing, keeping your environment cool, and having cold packs handy can help in less than 50% of cases.
• Regular exercise helps up to 50% of cases.
• Controlled breathing helps up to 50% of cases
• Black Cohosh is considered to be somewhere in between ineffective and less than 50% of cases.
• Red clover the same as Black Cohosh.
• Vitamin E is helpful in up to 50% of cases.
• There are a number of non-hormonal medications intended for other purposes that have shown some promising results. As with everything you try, you’ll have to talk with your doctor.

The silver lining is that your hot flashes will typically stop on their own and may not require any treatment.

If you are finding that you've tried everything and you still need some help with hot flashes, don't worry, there are non-hormonal, 100% natural alternatives on the market today.

Natural Remedies and menopause

Clothing for Hot Flashes click here

To read about the other Signs of Menopause click here.

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