Hot Flashes

Hot flashes are one of the most common menopause symptoms. As a matter of fact, more than 75 percent of women experienced this symptom during their menopause period. It is generally described when there is a sudden flush of hot feeling throughout the body. It can make you feel as if you are living in a tropical country even when it is actually a chilling winter for everyone else. Some women may just get over it and feeling fine once it is over, but some may be shivering and feeling cold; much like having a fever right after hot flashes moments.

Most women will continue to experience it for about 5 years. Only in some cases that it extends beyond 5 years though the intensity is becoming less over time. If you have a family history of this type of menopause symptoms, you are likely to be susceptible to it. It is not so much of a problem if hot flashes occur during the day but at night, it can become a problem and turn into uncomfortable night sweats. Women that experience it at night will be awakened and drenched in sweat. She in turn need to shower or change clothes to get rid of the uneasiness resulting from night sweats. For light sleepers, returning to sleep after waking at night sweating may be difficult. If you have night sweats problem, choose nightwear made of cotton or fabric that can easily disperse those heat away.

Sometimes it is just not a feeling of overwhelming heat but may include dizziness or feeling faint. In some cases, heart palpitations can occur at the same time. Not all women have these additional symptoms as the hot sensation may just goes away after a while. The cause of hot flashes is generally accepted due to the motor instability of the hypothalamus in the brain to regulate the body’s temperature. During menopause, there are drastic hormone fluctuations that affect the hypothalamus as well and as a result, the body is not able to respond the way it should. Pollution and poor lifestyle especially diet and stress can also compound the effect of these symptoms.

Although you should not be too overly worried about hot flashes, a doctor consultation is recommended to properly assess the situation. If it is attributed to menopause, hormone replacement therapy methods can be used to alleviate those symptoms. Soy can also be used as an alternative as it has estrogen like substance. Herbs such as dong quai, black cohosh, ginseng, motherwort, licorice, false unicorn and others are also commonly used. There are generally available individually but you may find it more convenience using it in combination extract form usually sold in bottles or capsules.

Evening primrose oil, chickweed tincture and sage tea are also beneficial in arresting hot flashes. Exercising too can help as it raises the ‘feel good’ substance, endorphine which drops during hot flashes. Different individual respond differently from natural treatment and it is best if you start with small dosages first. Always let your doctor know if you are taking herbal treatments just to be on the safe side.