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.
Comments
Very nice! I can see you're going to do well on Examiner. Congrats on the new gig!
Excellent advice, thanks.
Excellent article and fantastic use of the slide show! I'm so impressed!
Great idea with the slideshow. I'm going to take a lesson from you! Also, I showed my mom this article and she says "thank you," as she has decided against HRT to avoid an increased risk of heart disease and cancer. This was helpful info!
Great article. I'm not sure I'll actually feel the effects of menopause because I have to be on hrt for the rest of my life, so I might just get away without hot flashes. :-)
I am so not looking forward to menopause.
Great job!
My mother had a horrible time with menopause.
I saw on Dr. OZ about a pillow that stays cold all night... I'm going to order one... !
THANK YOU for other ideas than HRT my Doctor says NO WAY to HRT and after sugery at age 50 going from mild to FUll FLASHES has made Mary almost impossiable to live with I hope these will HELP
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