One cannot think about menopause and Hot flashes without thinking of the other. When a woman does not get her periods for a span of 12 months, she is considered to be experiencing a menopause. During menopause and few years before menopause, women experience a sudden emission of heat from their face and the upper part of their body and this heat releases in the form of sweat.
These hot flashes are cause by hormonal changes due to menopause. The diminishing level of estrogen makes the temperature-control go out of control and hence heat increases in a bout.
Hot flashes are also triggered by stress at times. It is very important to ease the pressure. Alcohol, hot food, caffeine, hot tubs, diet pills, saunas, hot showers, spicy food, hot beds, hot rooms, hot weather, and smoking are other triggers for hot flashes. Cutting down on their use can reduce the chances of it occurring to a major extent.
Apart of the above necessary must-dos, following are certain instructions that can assist decrease the difficulties of hot flashes when they are experienced by you (or anyone you might know of):
Soy: According to some research, soy might have the benefit of reducing hot flashes and other signs of menses. Consumption of food rich in soy such as tofu, soymilk, miso (Japanese seasoning), soybeans, textured soy protein, and soy powder is recommended.
Black cohosh: provides effective relief from hot flashes. It is also considered as safe herbal medicine.
Natural progesterone: it can be taken orally (in form of medications) or one can also go for over-the-counter creams.
Vitamin E: According to a study, vitamin E may also helps in reducing the trouble created by hot flashes along with its occurrence.
Effexor and Gabapentin: These drugs also help in significant reduction of the occurrence and harshness of the problem.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): one of the options considered as therapy for the reduction of hot flashes. This therapy does provide relief but as it deals in increasing the estrogen levels in the body, it cannot be used sparingly.
