How to reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes during menopause

October 18, 11:27 AMIndianapolis Healthy Living ExaminerAmanda C. Strosahl

Previous Next

8 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Indianapolis Healthy Living Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Finding ways to reduce hot flashes allows women to get on
with enjoying life. (Photo: Ivan Freaner)

The National Prescribing Service (NPS) is using World Menopause Day (October 18) to encourage women to learn about the symptoms of menopause and the options that are available to manage them. Of all the symptoms associated with going through menopause, many women will tell you the hot flash -- that sudden heat and flush that can range from feeling like a mid-August breeze to a four-alarm fire and leave you dripping with sweat -- is the worst.

What causes hot flashes?
Hot flashes are caused by the hormonal changes involved with menopause. The hypothalamus, a gland located in the brain, helps control hormones and body temperature. The declining levels of estrogen during menopause can throw off the hypothalamus, making it think the body is overheating. It sends out chemical signals to cool things down immediately. The body responds to these signals by increasing the heart rate, dilating the blood vessels, and triggering the sweat glands. When you are actually overheating, this response system would lower your body temperature. In menopause, it just makes you miserable.

How to reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes
As hot flashes are due to low estrogen levels, hormone replacement therapy can lessen the problem.

“NPS has determined that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is the most effective treatment if a woman decides to use a medicine to manage menopause symptoms. Research indicates that it can result in 75 per cent reduction in hot flush frequency per week compared to placebo,” says Judith Mackson, NPS senior clinical adviser.

“However the decision to use HRT should be made jointly between the woman and her doctor, and should take into consideration the severity of symptoms, the individual’s medical history, their family medical history and preference of treatment methods,” she continued.

Hormone replacement therapy can increase the risk of breast cancer and heart disease, making many women look elsewhere for ways to reduce the frequency and severity of their hot flashes. The attached slideshow offers ten natural ways to help you control your hot flashes. 

For more articles by the Indianapolis Healthy Living Examiner, please visit Amanda's homepage.  To keep up with health news and information, click the subscribe link at the top of the page to receive email notification when new articles are published.