Hot Flashes

Hot flashes are sudden feelings of warmth, and often cause you to sweat. When they occur at night, they are often referred to as ‘night sweats’ and can occur in, not only menopausal women, but pre menopausal women, postmenopausal women, and men.

Hot flashes are usually an intense feeling of heat in the face and upper body. They typically last only a few minutes, and can occur rarely, or several times a day. Hot flashes are probably caused by increased heat (or blood flow) in the “thermostat” in the brain that controls body temperature. The brain senses an increase in temperature, and signals a release of natural body chemicals to tell blood vessels to dilate. Estrogen and testosterone allow the body to have higher tolerances to changes in body temperature. In menopausal women, when these natural hormones are not as plentiful, that tolerance is not as great, and the body tends to send signals to cool itself down more rapidly than pre menopausal women who have plentiful hormones.

Home Remedies For Hot Flashes:

Black Cohosh:

Native Americans relied on the root of the black cohosh plant as a remedy for most all “female” ailments. It is currently considered the best alternative to conventional hormone replacement therapy. Since the dangers of hormone replacement therapy have been discovered, it is a very popular herbal remedy, with which most women find considerable relief for menopausal symptoms. It is believed that black cohosh contains phytoestrogens that simulate estrogen. By simulating estrogen, the lack of it in the body during menopause is relieved.

Black Cohosh comes in many different forms, tablet, capsule, or tincture. Because the different types come in different strengths, consult with the herbalist, when you purchase black cohosh, or follow package directions.

Black cohosh should not be taken if you are pregnant, or think you might become pregnant. It has been linked to fetal heart attack.

Soy:

Soy contains isoglavones, also a form of phytoestrogens. There is some controversy over taking megadoses of soy in tablet or capsule form, but the use of soy oil, soybeans, soy milk, and tofu in the diet, has been reported to help alleviate the discomfort of hot flashes.

Progesterone:

Progesterone is another female hormone that fluctuates during menopause. It is available in a natural cream formula. It can help balance your hormone levels and give relief from hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Women with breast cancer or a history of breast cancer in their family should not take progesterone, but if you are able to take it, there is a good chance it will eliminate your hot flashes.

Weight loss:

Webmd reports that losing weight may help reduce hot flashes in menopausal women. In the study, 65 of the 141 women said they were less bothered by their hot flashes six months after participating in the weight loss program, 53 reported no change, and 23 women reported a worsening of symptoms.