A hot flash is a sudden feeling of heat that rushes to the upper body and face. A hot flash may last from a few seconds to several minutes or longer. Some women have hot flashes a few times a month. Others have them several times a day. Hot flashes that happen at night (night sweats) may wake you up and cause you to feel tired and sluggish during the day.
Causes of hot flashes:
Menopause: decreased estrogen levels cause your body's thermostat (hypothalamus) to become more sensitive to changes in body temperature.
Hot bedroom: set the thermostat to 60 - 68 degrees at night.
Thyroid disorders.
Excess weight.
Anxiety.
Treatment:
DIY: First steps to try at home
Open the windows at night.
Layer your clothes.
Exercise.
Try acupuncture.
Try the Mediterranean diet.
Cooling blankets & pillows
PeachSkin Sheets: Moisture-wicking sheets work by pulling moisture off the surface of the skin. This bestselling option is also stain-resistant, ultra-soft, and super-breathable.
Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet Set: High-end linen sheets that are great for hot sleepers because they’re much lighter and more breathable compared to more common fabrics. Although linen isn’t as soft as cotton, it has a cozy, textured look and is much more durable.
Cariloha Classic Bamboo: There’s a reason why bamboo sheets are becoming so popular: Not only is the fabric soft and comfortable, but it’s also eco-friendly. Plus, they naturally keep odors and allergens away from your bed.
Supplements
Equelle: a non-prescription supplement that has been clinically proven to reduce hot flashes, vaginal irritation, and insomnia.
Maca Root: probably the only supplement with good clinical trials behind it. Harvested from the Peruvian Andes. I like Gaia Herbs Maca root supplement.
Black Cohosh: is one of the most well-studied supplements for menopause. It's made from the root of the North American black cohosh plant. Several studies have found it helps -- especially with hot flashes -- when compared to placebo (a fake treatment). BUT other studies haven't found a benefit. One warning: Don't use it if you have liver problems.
Flaxseed oil: may help some women with mild menopause symptoms. It's a good source of lignans, which tend to balance female hormones.
DIM Detox: compound found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage. DIM may help regulate estrogen levels.
Medications
Effexor: a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SSNRI). A good choice if you have associated mood swings.
Neurontin (Gabapentin): a medication used to treat many conditions. A good choice if you have associated sleep disturbance.
Clonidine: a patch typically used to treat high blood pressure.
Veozah: A new non-hormonal prescription medication for hot flashes. When taking this medication, it is important to check your liver enzymes.
Hormones
What is hormone therapy?
Hormone therapy can help relieve the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Hormone therapy means taking estrogen and, if you have never had a hysterectomy and still have a uterus, a hormone called progestin. Estrogen plus progestin is sometimes called “combined hormone therapy” or simply “hormone therapy.” Taking progestin helps reduce the risk of cancer of the uterus that occurs when estrogen is used alone. If you do not have a uterus, estrogen is given without progestin.
How is hormone therapy given?
Estrogen can be given in several forms. Systemic forms include pills, skin patches, and gels and sprays that are applied to the skin. If progestin is prescribed, it can be given separately or combined with estrogen in the same pill or a patch. With systemic therapy, estrogen is released into the bloodstream and travels to the organs and tissues where it is needed. Women who only have vaginal dryness may be prescribed “local” estrogen therapy in the form of a vaginal ring, tablet, or cream. These forms release small doses of estrogen into the vaginal tissue.
What are the benefits of hormones?
less hot flashes & night sweats
better sleep
less anxiety and depression
less vaginal dryness
improved bone health
better sex, less painful sex, improved orgasms
improved urinary symptoms
reduced risk of dementia and brain fog
improved heart health
maintaining muscle strength
"Estrogen contributes to heart health through its helpful effects on cholesterol and because it increases blood flow by relaxing and dilating blood vessels"
- Dr. Yoav Arnson, Cedars-Sinai, Pasadena, CA.
-You should find that your symptoms improve after a few days or weeks of taking HRT.
What are the risks of hormones?
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) usually outweigh the risks. Recent evidence suggests that the risks of serious side effects from HRT are very low.
Older studies found potential risks of HRT and made many people reluctant to take or prescribe it. But this view is now seen as out of date because it does not take account of the benefits as well as the risks.
The benefits and risks of taking HRT depend on your age, your menopause symptoms, and any risk factors you have. It also depends on when you start hormone therapy. Benefits are maximized when starting HRT within 10 years of menopause.
If you're under 60 years old, have menopause symptoms, and are not at high risk of breast cancer or blood clots, the benefits of HRT are likely to outweigh the risks.
Breast cancer
HRT can slightly increase the risk of breast cancer. If you've had breast cancer, you'll usually be advised not to take HRT.
The increased risk is low: there are around 5 extra cases of breast cancer in every 1,000 women who take combined HRT for 5 years.
There is no increase in the risk of breast cancer from estrogen-only therapy, which you can take if you've had a hysterectomy.
Blood clots
HRT tablets can increase the risk of blood clots, but the risk is still very low.
HRT patches, sprays, and gels do not increase the risk of blood clots. This is because estrogen is safer when it's absorbed into your body through your skin.
Stroke
HRT tablets (but not patches, gel, or spray) slightly increase the risk of stroke. But the risk is still very low, particularly if you're under 60 years old.
