Hot flashes are sudden feelings of warmth,
which are usually most intense over the face, neck and chest. Your skin may
redden, as if you're blushing. Hot flashes can also cause profuse sweating and
may leave you chilled.
Although other hormonal conditions can cause
them, hot flashes most commonly are due to menopause — the time when a woman's
menstrual periods stop. In fact, hot flashes are the most common symptom of the
menopausal transition.
Symptoms
During a hot flash, you may experience:
- A sudden feeling of warmth spreading through your upper body and
face
- A flushed appearance with red, blotchy skin
- Rapid heartbeat
- Perspiration, mostly on your upper body
- Feeling chilled as the hot flash subsides
Remedies
for Hot Flashes
1.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture
has no side effects, and it helps ladies during menopause/perimenopause to deal
with mood swings. This remedy reduces the severity of hot flashes to a great
extent.
2.
Meditation
Those
females who meditate on a regular basis can control their irritability, mood
swings, and stress in a better way than those who do not meditate at all.
3.
Vitamin D
To absorb
calcium, your body requires vitamin D. As one ages, levels of vitamin D
decline. Some sources of vitamin D are fatty fish, sunlight, low fat dairy
products. Women over 50 require a minimum of 600 IU per day intake of vitamin D
and women above 70 require 800 IU.
4.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil)
Omega-3
fatty acids reduce cholesterol and the risk of stroke. If you are confused
between – whether to use fish oil supplement or increase the intake of fish
(due to the greater risk of heart diseases), here’s the solution – you can have
two servings of fish a week. According to a research, consumption of EPA, a
supplement for fish oil, could not decrease the intensity of hot flashes,
though the number of times hot flashes occurs did decrease.
Note –
Fish oil has the potential to increase the risk of bleeding, if you take
blood-thinners such as aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix) or
any other.
5.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed and
its oil contain plant-based chemicals that act like estrogen; and they may help
reduce the symptoms of menopause. Since the researches that have been conducted
till date are still unsure about the risk of breast cancer as an outcome of the
intake of flaxseed supplements, you can include flaxseed in your diet. The
alpha-linolenic acid in flaxseed converts into omega-3 fatty acids, in the
body, post consumption. This conversion into omega-3 fatty acids is considered
good for the health of heart.
Note –
Consult your doctor before trying flaxseed supplements.
6. Soy
Soy contains
isoflavones which, some researchers say, is similar to estrogen compounds, and
helps reduce vaginal dryness, mood swings and hot flashes. But some researchers
differ, as they believe that isoflavones is a placebo. The actual improvement
in hot flashes remains ambiguous and differs woman to woman. Researchers are
still trying to discover about the risk of breast cancer and other diseases due
to the use of isoflavone supplements, as happens in the case of estrogen
supplements. The safer option is to include foods containing soy in your diet
instead of ingesting supplements. Seek advice from your doctor for better
guidance about the use of soy. Tofu, soy nuts, soy milk, and tempeh are
considered to be good sources of soy.
7.
Calcium
Women above
the age of fifty, require calcium because they bear the risk of osteoporosis
due to the decline in estrogen levels. You can intake calcium through
supplements as well. Ensure that you consume 1,200 mg of elemental calcium per
day through diet/supplements for the sake of keeping your bones strong. Eat
green leafy vegetables, almonds, black strap molasses, dried beans, and low fat
dairy. Calcium citrate gets easily digested and absorbed in comparison to
calcium carbonate; the latter requires an acidic environment to be absorbed,
hence, you can have it along with a glass of orange juice. However, calcium
carbonate has more of elemental calcium than calcium citrate.
8. Red
Clover
Red clover
is suggested to relieve symptoms like mood swings, vaginal dryness, and hot
flashes. It is still unidentified that if it contains plant-based
estrogen/phytoestrogens which can act as a substitute for estrogen. According
to researchers, red clover showed positive and negative results. Some females
experienced severe side effects while some did not.
Note –
It is discovered that red clover might have harmful effects on
hormone-sensitive tissues, for instance, uterus or breasts. In addition, it may
also interact with other medications such as blood-thinners, birth control
pills, and other drugs.
9. Black
Cohosh
According to
a research, after ingesting black cohosh, some ladies showed positive result
while some experienced negative effects. It is still obscure that how it works
as estrogen. It is used to alleviate hot flashes, depression, mood swings, and
irritability. It reduces vaginal dryness and the possibility of osteoporosis.
Since studies are still on regarding the risk of breast and uterus cancer, and
after effects of this herb, we suggest you to discuss with your doctor before
trying black cohosh. In a research, some people perceived damage of liver and
it is also considered harmful for those who have affective disorder.
10.
Pycnogenol
Pycnogenol
is basically an extract of pine bark which alleviates symptoms like depression,
anxiety, headache, sleep problems, fatigue, vaginal dryness and hot flashes. It
is strictly forbidden for those who have autoimmune diseases or who are under
medical supervision for immune system.
11.
Ginseng
Ginseng is
used to treat symptoms such as mood swings, insomnia, hot flashes, and vaginal
dryness. It is still obscure if it contains plant-based
estrogens/phytoestrogens, and the risk of breast cancer is another probability.
The research conducted about the use of ginseng at the time of menopause showed
that it can help one in coping with mood swings and insomnia, but not with hot
flashes.
Note –
Do not consume ginseng with stimulants as it may interact with other
medications, such as insulin and blood-thinners.
12. Dong
Quai
It is famous
in traditional Chinese medicine for treating gynecologic conditions for over a
millennium. According to a few researches, dong quai is not so helpful for hot
flashes.
Note –
Women with fibroids or blood-clotting problems like hemophilia, or women who
consume drugs like warfarin (coumadin) for blood thinning must consult their
health care professional before using this herb as it may result into excessive
bleeding.
13.
Evening Primrose Oil
It has many
side effects like nausea, diarrhea, inflammation, troubles with blood clotting
and affects immune system. It is also used to conduct seizures in females who
exhibit the symptoms of schizophrenia and have been recommended to take
antipsychotic medication. Do not use evening primrose oil with anticoagulants
or phenothiazines (a type of psychotherapeutic agent).
REMEMBER
Although we
have informed you about the risks that are involved with each therapy described
above, yet we want you to consult your doctor or a trained herbalist before
trying out these herbal remedies. Moreover, the research is going on about
these herbs. We have not given you any final statement with surety. Moreover,
there are numerous brands that manufacture herbal products, so for ensuring the
quality, purity and safety, you can visit an herbalist. Do not endeavor any
herbal treatment if you have to undergo an impending surgery after a week or
two.