How to Deal with Hot Flashes

An Inevitable Part of Menopause

Be aware of what to expect before you enter menopause. Most of the symptoms of this stage in a woman’s life can be unpleasant and difficult to deal with, and may even cause problems in your personal relationships. If you get through this transition without experiencing hot flashes, consider yourself one of the lucky few. These temperature fluctuations are a frequent symptom of menopause for the vast majority of women throughout the word, so scientists are seeking out the most effective relief for this common, yet uncomfortable phenomenon.

No one particular cure eliminates hot flashes. Hormone replacement therapy is frequently prescribed, particularly when symptoms become too much to bear. Hormonal therapy however, is often contraindicated, or a woman may opt not to take it, so her physician may try different natural remedies to identify the remedy that brings the most efficient relief to her hot flashes.

Natural Methods to Controlling Hot Flashes

The good news is that there are a number of excellent natural products for hot flashes; if one doesn’t work for you, try a different one or even a combination of different remedies to reduce hot flashes or even eliminate them altogether.

Nutrition

The key to battling menopause menopause symptoms is proper nutrition. Stick to a diet enriched with important vitamins, nutrients, and minerals and enhanced with necessary herbal supplements.

Vitamins

Taking the right vitamins is crucial for both women approaching menopause as well as women already going through various menopause symptoms. Take the recommended daily intake of vitamins E, B complex, and C. Aside from being a good defense for hot flashes, vitamin E also fights off certain heart conditions. Vitamin C can also directly prevent hot flashes, while vitamin B compound lowers stress, which can be a trigger for hot flashes.

Minerals

There are a few key minerals that alleviate hot flash symptoms: selenium is thought to support vitamin E, so these two substances are often taken in combination. Other helpful minerals include magnesium, calcium, and zinc. You may be able to get your daily dosage of minerals and vitamins with a multivitamin plus mineral product.

Herbal Remedies

Products containing a variety of plants and herbs frequently combat hot flashes. The commonly recommended herbs listed below can help align female hormones into balance as well as reducing hot flashes:

• Chinese licorice root
• Dong quai root
• Flax seed oil
• Rehmannia root
• Chaste tree berry

Other herbs such as ginger root, white peony, lovage root, and codonopsis root act differently on the body, but are still helpful in combating hot flashes.

Isoflavones

Finally, become familiar with isoflavones, compounds often referred to as phytoestrogens, due to their similarity to the female hormone estrogen. Soy and soy products are a good source of isoflavones. They are available in supplement form as well.

When searching for the right treatment for you, don’t be afraid to experiment. Try these natural remedies to see how your body reacts to them, and whether menopausal symptoms like hot flashes respond when taking them. There is no one magical cure; ultimately you will find relief that fits your body, your symptoms, and your needs.

Medical Menopause Treatments

Women struggling with menopause can take comfort in knowing that they have multiple treatment options available to them.Some treatments contain hormones, while others do not: each provides its own form of relief. Consult with your doctor to help you decide which type of treatment is best for you.

Your treatment choices will typically depend on the frequency and severity of your symptoms, and whether these symptoms cause you any pain (note: while menopause often cause discomfort, menopause symptoms should never involve any pain).  This article reviews a few available options you may want to ask your doctor about. These options involve both hormonal and non-hormonal treatments.

Non-Hormonal Treatments

The following menopause treatments do not involve the use of hormones:

Antidepressant Medications can help control the emotional issues that frequently accompany menopause and help manage symptoms such as depression, hot flashes, mood swings, and irritability. Ask your doctor if antidepressants may be an option for you.

Clonidine is a medication commonly used to manage high blood pressure, but it can also help reduce the amount and intensity of hot flashes you experience.  Some women experience side effects caused by low blood pressure during menopause.

Gabapentin is an anti-seizure drug that can help reduce the amount and intensity of hot flashes a woman may have.  There are potential side effects to Gabapentin, including sleepiness, swelling, and dizziness.

Hormonal Treatments

Since menopause is caused by the reduction of female hormones, it is common to treat menopause symptoms with a variety of hormone therapies.

Birth Control Pills can help regulate your menstrual cycle throughout the perimenopause stage; they can also help control extremely heavy periods. However, if you have a history of blood clots or are a smoker, avoid birth control pills since they increase the chances of stroke.

Progestin pills or Levonorgestrel IUD (Intrauterine Device) release a type of the female hormone progesterone inside the uterus via an IUD in order to reduce heavy or irregular menstrual periods during perimenopause. Some women report side effects from IUDs, however, so check with your doctor to be sure it is safe for you.

Low-dose vaginal estrogen can be taken in tablet, ring, or cream form. It reduces weakening of the vagina and urethra, and prevents vaginal dryness without putting high doses of estrogen into your body.

Hormone Replacement Therapy: HRT comes in a patch, a gel, a cream, a pill, or vaginal ring. Hormone replacement therapy can cause numerous side effects, so most doctors only prescribe the lowest doses to treat menopause symptoms.

There are a variety of medical options available to women to treat menopause symptoms. However, talk to your doctor to decide which option will work best for you. Menopause symptoms vary for every woman in their severity and duration, so the best treatment is unique for each woman. Each woman has her own individual blend of symptoms, so it’s up to you and your doctor to treat your individual symptoms most effectively.

Treating Menopause Naturally

Menopause comes with a whole host of symptoms.  Certain women experience a lot more symptoms while others suffer less.  No matter how severe, these symptoms are usually uncomfortable and can interfere with your ability to live a normal, healthy life.

Some of the most common symptoms are:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Depression
• Vaginal dryness
• Losing interest in sex and lots more

There are a number of ways to fight these menopause symptoms naturally and safely.  It takes only a few lifestyle changes to reduce those feelings of discomfort.

Diet – Adjust your diet to include healthier foods such as fruits and vegetables and soy products. Cut down on the daily amount of sugar you eat. You will not only feel better generally, but this minor adjustment can also help reduce menopause symptoms. Keep your body healthy to lower the severity of the symptoms you feel. Some specific elements to add to your diet include:

• Tofu – The soy and phytoestrogen contained in tofu decrease the night sweats and hot flashes that so many women experience. If you’re not fond of tofu, there are ways to include them in your recipes so that you don’t even notice it’s there.
• Ground Flax Seed – Grind up flax seed and add it to soups, salads, and almost anything that you eat. Mix it into your favorite dish and you can hardly taste the flax seed, but you should notice results to your menopausal symptoms as soon as you start taking it.
• Black Cohosh Tincture – This herbal supplement can help relieve those annoying hot flashes and night sweats.  Take it two to four times a day for best results.
• Sage Tincture – This is another herb that can also help alleviate hot flashes and night sweats. Take about 10 to 15 drops each day for full benefits. You can add it to tea or other drinks to make it taste a bit better.
• Vitamin E – Take a Vitamin E supplement each day to help decrease menopause symptoms such as mood swings and hot flashes that so many women experience during menopause.
• Exercise – In addition to altering your diet, regular exercise can help energize you throughout your day, and can help lower your chances of insomnia, helping you sleep better at night.

These are all safe and natural suggestions you can try yourself. But if none of these natural treatments work for you, check with your physician about other medical options such as prescription medications.